< 


George  Washington  Flowers 
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€ 


T  H  E 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOMY 


SOUTH    CAKOLINA, 


FROM  ITS  ORIGIN  IN  THE  YEAR  1730  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


WRITTEN   AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF 
ANCIENT  FREEMASONS  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


BY 

ALBERT  G.  MACKEY,  M.D., 

GRAND  SBOBBTART  0  V     THE  (i  R A  N  D  LODfiE. 

Author  of  a  "Lexicon  of  Freemasonry,"  "Text  Book  of  Masonic  Jurisprudence, 

a..-.,  Ac. 


Historia,  quoquo  modo  scripts,  delectat— Punv. 


COLUMBIA,   S.   0.: 

SOUTH  CAROLINIAN  STEAM  POWER  DRESS. 

1861. 


Tfl  Xonc 

:  nil  I  more  appropriately 

DEDICATE 

this  Work 

than  to 

MY  BRETHREN  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 

at  whose  reqiicat, 

nnd 

fdr  whose  entertainment  and  instruction, 

it   has   been   written ; 

to  them,  therefore, 

it  is  fraternally  inscribed 

BY 

The  Author. 


fA 


PEEFACE. 


The  subject  of  the  history  of  Freemasonry,  in  eacli  distinct- 
ive jurisdiction,  has,  for  some  years  past,  been  considered  as 
of  great  importance  by  several  of  the  American  Grand 
Lodges,  and  some  of  them  had  already  carried  the  design  into 
effect  before  the  present  work  was  commenced.  The  Grand 
Lodges  of  Ohio,  Iowa,  Texas,  California,  New  Hampshire 
and  Florida,  have  accomplished  the  task  by  a  republication, 
in  full,  of  their  proceedings  from  the  time  of  their  organiza- 
tion. Brother  Robert  Morris  has  published  a  history  of 
Masonry  in  Kentucky  on  a  different  plan,  and,  while  giving  a 
resume  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  State, 
has  incorporated  with  it  interesting  details  of  Masonic  events 
in  other  jurisdictions.  From  Connecticut  we  have  an  admira- 
ble work,  from  the  pen  of  Brother  E.  G.  Storer,  under  the 
title  of  "Records  of  Freemasonry  in  Connecticut,''  in  the 
arrangement  of  which  he  has  pursued  a  design,  in  some 
respects,  like  the  one  adopted  in  the  present  work. 

The  subject  of  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  South  Carolina 
was  first  brought,  in  1  S.r>7.  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  to  the 
attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Up  to  that  period  we  knew 
nothing  of  what  had  occurred  In  "the  olden  time"  of  Masonry 
in  this  State,  except  what  was  furnished  in  the  brief  and  incor- 
rect narrative  of  Dr.  Dalcho,  appended  to  the  edition  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon  which  was  published  in  the  year  1822.  On 
the  republication  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon,  in  1S52,  I  brought 
the  narrative  up  to  that  date,  but  I  did  not  feel  myself  war- 
ranted in  being  much  more  minute  in  details  than  my 
predecessor. 


V1  PREFACE. 

In  1858,  Brother  Henry  Buist,  the  Grand  Master,  renewed 
the  subject  in  his  address  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  prudently- 
reminded  the  members  that  as  time  advanced  the  materials 
requisite  for  the  work  would  become  more  difficult  of  access, 
and  that  the  reminiscences  of  the  old  men  in  the  Order,  who 
survive  among  us,  would  be  soon  lost. 

Moved  by  these  considerations,  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  that 
Communication,  appointed  a  committee  of  three  who  were  to 
collect  the  materials  and  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
a  history  of  the  Order  in  the  State.  This  committee  made  no 
report,  nor  ought  this  to  have  been  an  unexpected  result- 
Books  are  never  written  by  committees.  Literary  labor  dis- 
likes to  be  shackled  by  agreement,  and  loves  independence  of 
thought  as  well  as  freedom  of  action.  It  is  not  every  age  that 
can  produce  the  spectacle  of  a  leash  of  authors,  like  Beau- 
mont and  Fletcher,  working  with  one  mind  and  one  spirit. 

In  1859  the  Grand  Master  again  brought  the  subject  of  the 
contemplated  history  to  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
"  Year  after  year,"  said  he,  "  we  are  deprived  of  materials  of 
interest  in  connection  with  our  Institution  and  its  votaries. 
Time,  with  its  resistless  current,  is  bearing  away  those  who 
have  longest  been  attached  to  it,  and  who  know  much  of 
incident  and  detail  that,  in  time  to  come,  may  be  invaluable  ; 
and  is  it  not  meet  that  some  little  attention  should  be  paid  to 
the  collocation,  in  some  enduring  form,  of  what  they  know? 
It  would  be  well  if,  in  our  onward  march,  we  should  pause  and 
render  to  the  past,  which  is  so  full  of  glorious  reminiscences, 
some  little  measure  of  its  deserts." 

The  Grand  Lodge  seemed  to  be  fully  impressed  with  the 
importance  and  the  truth  of  these  reflections.  The  subject 
was  referred  to  a  committee,  upon  whose  recommendation  it 
was  determined  "  to  entrust  the  performance  of  the  duty  of 
writing  the  history  of  Masonry  in  the  State,  to  some  compe- 
tent Brother,  who  has  devoted,  or  may  hereafter  devote,  his 
attention  to  the  collection  of  facts  and  their  proper  condensa- 


PREFACE.  vii 

tion.,,  To  carry  out  this  plan,  the  author  was  selected  as  the 
historiographer,  with  wliat  judgment  the  character  of  this 
work  will  have  to  determine. 

For  nearly  two  years  I  have  devoted  myself  to  this  task, 
bringing  to  it  the  collections  made  in  many  previous  years  of 
research,  and  an  anxiety  of  intention,  at  least,  to  perform  the 
task  assigned  to  me  with  some  credit  to  myself,  and  with 
grateful  recollections  of  the  kindness  t<»  which  1  have  been 
indebted  for  the  appointment. 

But,  in  the  very  commencement  of  the  undertaking,  I  met 
with  difficulties  of  no  ordinary  nature.  The  frequent  changes 
which  had  taken  place  in  the  administration  of  Masonic  affairs 
in  the  State — accompanied  by  neglect  in  the  transfer  of  records 
from  one  Grand  Lodge  to  its  successor,  the  intervention  of  a 
long  revolutionary  war,  in  consequence  of  which  many 
important  documents  were  lost,  and  the  devastation  of  a 
destructive  conflagration,  in  1838,  by  which  "nearly  all  of  the 
archives  were  destroyed,  which  time  and  the  causes  already 
enumerated  had  hitherto  spared — all  left  me  with  the  gloomy 
prospect  of  a  paucity  of  materials,  out  of  which,  I  trust  that  I 
deserve  some  credit  for  what  I  have  been  able  to  achieve.  I 
have  felt  disposed,  throughout  this  undertaking,  if  it  were 
allowed  me,  "jMi'vis  eomponere  magna"  to  apply  to  ray 
own  task  the  words  used  by  Gibbon  in  the  conclusion  of  his 
immortal  work :  "The  historian  may  applaud  the  importance 
and  variety  of  his  subject,  but,  while  he  is  conscious  of  his 
own  imperfections,  he  must  often  accuse  the  deficiency  of  his 
materials." 

I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  made  the  sketches  of  Sub- 
ordinate Lodges,  in  the  Appendix,  more  complete.  With  this 
view  I  directed  letters  of  enquiry  to  the  Masters  of  all  the 
Lodges  in  the  State.  From  some  I  received  replies,  contain- 
ing valuable  information,  for  which  T  here  tender  my  grateful 
thanks,  but  in  many  instances  I  was  disappointed  in  obtaining 
any  response*     1  am.  T  think,  scarcely  to  be  blamed   that  in 


viii  PREFACE. 

the  dearth  of  knowledge  I  have  preferred  to  say  nothing 
rather  than  to  trust  to  fallible  conjecture. 

But  I  have,  in  all  cases  where  it  was  practicable,  depended 
on  my  own  labor,  and  have  been  indefatigable  in  ray 
researches  into  the  newspapers  of  the  last  century,  into  old 
documents  of  every  kind  to  which  I  could  get  access,  and  into 
the  pages  of  every  work  from  which  I  had  the  slightest  hope 
of  gleaning  anything  germane  to  my  subject. 

The  task  is  now  completed,  and  I  submit  it  to  those  for  whom 
it  has  been  accomplished,  with  a  submission  to  the  truth  of  a 
remark  made  by  Warburton,  and  with  which  I  conclude  this 
already  too  long,  and  necessarily,  perhaps,  too  egotistical  intro- 
duction. 

"  A  work  given  to  the  world  every  reader  has  a  right  to 
censure.  If  it  has  merit  it  will  go  down  to  posterity,  if  it  has 
none  the  sooner  it  dies  and  is  forgot  the  better." 

ALBEET  G.  MACKEY,  M.D.    ' 

Charleston,  S.  C,  September  22,  1861. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PUI 

I.  Introduction  of  Freemasonry  into  South  Carolina 1 

II.  Reestablishtnent  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 27 

III.  From  the  death  of  Peter  Leigh,  to  the  election  of  his 

sou  as  Provincial  Grand  Master 37 

IV.  The  Provincial  Grand  Mastership  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh..  42 
V.  Formation  of  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  South 

Carolina <r>l 

VI.  Origin  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons  in  South  Carolina.  58 

VII.  Washington  and  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina 80 

VIII.  The  Union  in  1808 8G 

IX.  The  Disruption  in  1809 95 

X.  The  Union  in  1817 119 

XL  The  Year  1818 136 

XII.  The  Year  1819 143 

XIII.  The  Year  1820 148 

XIV.  The  Year  1821 153 

XV.  The  Year  1822 157 

XVI.  The  Year  1823 171 

XVII.  The  Year  1824 184 

XVIII.  The  Year  1825  195 

XIX.  The  Year  1826 207 

XX.  The  Year  1827 214 

XXL  The  Year  1828 220 

XXII.  The  Year  1829 228 

XXIII.  The  Year  1830 231 

XXIV.  The  Year  1831 234 

XXV.  The  Year  1832 236 

XXVI.  The  Year  1833 238 

XXVII.  The  Year  1834 241 

XXVIII.  The  Year  1835 ~ 244 

XXIX.  The  Year  1836 247 


\ 


COKTKNTK 


CHAPTER 


t»6 1 

XXX.  The  Year  1837 255 

XXXI.  The  Year  1838 262 

XXXII.  The  Year  1839 267 

XXXIII.  The  Year  1840 2f3 

XXXIV.  The  Year  1841 ■.,.., 279 

XXXV.  The  Year  1842 .... 298 

XXXVI.  The  Year  1843 ,. 303 

XXXVII.  The  Year  1844 313 

XXXVIII.  The  Year  1845 319 

XXXIX.  The  Year  1846 326 

XL.  The  Year  1847 334 

XLI.  The  Year  1848 342 

XLII.  The  Year  1849 363 

XLIII.  The  Year  1850 372 

XLIV.  The  Year  1851 377 

XLV.  The  Year  1852 384 

XLVI.  The  Year  1853 396 

XLVII.  The  Year  1854 404 

XLVIII.  The  Year  1855 422 

XLIX.  The  Year  1856 426 

L.  The  Year  1857 • 434 

LI.  The  Year  1858 441 

LII.  The  Year  1859 454 

LIII.  The  Year  i860 ., 463 

LIV.  Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  South  Carolina 470 

LV.  Cryptic  Masonry  in  South  Carolina 480 

LVI.  Knight  Templarism  in  South  Carolina 487 

LVII.  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  in  South  Carolina 494 

Appendix , 505 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

IN 

SOUTH      CAEOLINA 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   INTRODUCTION    OF   FREEMASONRY    INTO    SOUTH   CAROLINA. 

Freemasonry,  which  in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
had  uudergone  a  wholesome  revival  in  England,  was  at  that  time  in  a 
highly  prosperous  condition.  We  have  therefore  every  reason  for  be- 
lieving that  that,  which  was  so  much  esteemed  at  home,  would  not  be 
sluw  iu  extending  its  influences  from  the  centre  to  the  remotest  borders 
of  the  British  Empire.  Nor  can  it  be  doubted  that  in  the  constant  in- 
tercourse which  was  kept  up  between  the  mother  country  and  its  favor- 
ite province,  many  members  of  the  craft  would  be  constantly  repairing, 
cither  as  officers  of  the  parent  government,  as  visitors,  or  as  intended 
future  residents,  to  South  Carolina,  Freemasonry  therefore,  although 
in  an  unorganized  form,  must,  I  i  nagine,  havj  been  familiar,  in  the 
persons  of  many  of  its  disciples,  to  the  inhabitants  of  South  Carolina, 
at  an  early  period  after  the  restoration  and  revival  of  the  Order  which 
took  place  in  the  year  1717  in  England. 

But  there  is  no  evidence,  by  record  or  tradition,  of  the  existence  of 
a  Masonic  Lodge  in  the  Province,  anterior  to  the  year  1730. 

On  Thursday  evening,  28th  of  October,  1736,  the  first  Lodge  of 
Masons  iu  South  Carolina  was  opened  iu  the  city  of  Charleston,  then 
known  as  "  Charles- Town." 

As  this  date,  as  a  point  of  departure  for  our  future  Masonic  re- 
searches, is  important,  and  differs  from  that  given  by  Daleho,*  in  the 


*  Paleho  says,  "  In  South  Carolina  no  Lodge  was  congregated  until  the  year 
1735."  Ahiman  Rezon  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of 
South  Carolina.     'Id  edition,  1822,  p.  194. 


2  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"brief  history"  contained  in  his  "  Ahirnan  Rezon,"  it  is  proper  that  it 
should  be  corroborated  by  contemporaneous  authority. 

In  the  "  South  Carolina  Gazette,"  a  weekly  journal  printed  at  that 
time  in  Charleston,  and  then  the  only  newspaper  which  was  published 
there,  will  be  found  under  its  issue  of  Friday,  October  29th,  1736,  the 
following  paragraph : 

"  Last  night  a  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  was  held,  for  the  first  time,  at  Mr.  Charles  Shep. 
beard's,  in  Broad  Street,  when  John  Hammerton,  Esq.,  Secretary  and 
Receiver  General  for  this  Province,  was  unanimously  chosen  Master, 
who  was  pleased  to  appoint  Mr.  Thomas  Denne,  Senior  Warden,  Mr. 
Tho.  Harbin,  Junior  Warden,  and  Mr.  James  Gordon,  Secretary." 

Dr.  Dalcho  says  that  the  Warrant  of  Constitution  for  this  Lodge  was 
granted  in  1735  by  Viscount  Montacute,  or  as  he,  quoting  from  Ander- 
son's edition  of  1738,  erroneously  calls  him,  "  Lord  Viscount  Montagu."* 
Dalcho  gives  no  authority  for  this  statement,  which  is  contradicted  by 
the  contemporary  annals  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  Lord  Mon- 
tacute was  installed  as  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  England,  on  the 
19th  of  April,  1732,  and  was  succeeded  on  the  7th  of  June,  1733,  by 
the  Earl  of  Strathmore.  Montacute  was  not  therefore,  Grand  Master 
in  1735,  the  date  wrongly  attributed  to  his  administration  by  Dalcho, 
nor  in  1736,  when  the  first  Lodge  at  Charleston  was  organized.  Neither 
is  it  at  all  likely  that  a  warrant  granted  by  him,  between  April,  1732, 
and  June,  1733,  which  embraced  the  whole  period  during  which  he 
could  legally  have  issued  such  an  instrument,  would  have  been  permit- 
ted to  lie  in  abeyance  from  that  time  uutil  the  end  of  October,  1736. 
The  same  spirit  and  zeal  which  actuated  the  brethren  at  Charleston  to 
apply  for  a  warrant,  would  naturally  have  induced  th'eni  to  act  under 


*  There  has  been  in  recent  times,  much  confusion  in  respect  to  the  names  of 
Montagu  and  Montacute,  both  of  whom  were,  at  different  times,  Grand  Masters 
of  England.  John  Montagu,  Duke  of  Montagu,  was  elected  Grand  Master  in 
1721,  and  Antony  Brown,  Lord  Viscount  Montacute,  was  elected  in  1732.  The 
one,  however,  on  account  of  the  similarity  of  their  titles,  has,  in  masonic  history, 
been  repeatedly  confounded  with  the  other.  It  is,  however,  singular,  that  Ander- 
son should  have  been  the  first  to  fall  into  the  error.  In  the  2d  edition  of  his 
*'  Constitutions,"  printed  in  1738,  he  records  "  Antony  Brown,  Lord  Viscount 
Montagu"  as  having  been  elected  G.  M.  (p.  130.)  In  the  3d  and  subsequent 
editions,  the  error  was  corrected,  and  Montacute  was  substituted  for  Montagu;  but 
Dalcho  was  apparently  indebted  for  his  authority  to  the  2d  edition,  and  hence  he 
repeated  the  error  in  his  Ahirnan  Rezon. 


<  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  3 

that  authority  as  soon  as  it  was  received.  The  facts  appear,  however, 
to  be  as  follows.  Lord  Weymouth  was  Grand  Master  of  England  in 
the  year  1735.  During  his  administration  several  new  Lodges  were 
constituted  iu  foreign  countries.  Preston*  says  that  he  issued  a  war- 
rant to  open  a  Lodge  in  Savannah,  in  (Jeorgk,  but  he  says  nothing  of 
the  Lodge  at  Charleston.  I  have,  however,  been  fortunately  able  to 
refer  to  several  old  lists  of  Lodges  at  that  time  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  the  examination  of  which  clearly  proves 
that  Preston's  omission  was  an  involuntary  or  heedless  one. 

In  a  roll  of  Lodges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  England,  appended  to 
Hutchinson's  "  Spir'.t  of  Masonry,"  with  the  following  title  :  "  List 
OF  Lodges,  (with  their  numbers,)  as  al'cre<l  hij  th<  Grand  Lmhjc,  April 
18,  1792,"  I  find  the  number  45  is  marked  as  having  been  warranted 
in  1735,  under  the  name  of  "Solomon's  Lodge,  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,"  which  is  followed  by  number  4G,  in  the  same  ye^.r,  desig- 
nated as  Solomon's  Lodge,  No.  1,  Savannah,  Georgia  The  iwo  Lodges 
having  received  their  warrants  the  same  year,  and  their  names  being 
the  same,  Preston,  with  that  ignorance  of  American  localities  which 
is  still  so  proverbial  among  English  writers,  may  have  supposed  that 
both  warrants  were  appropriated  to  the  same  Lodge,  and  presuming 
therefore,  that  some  error  had  been  committed  in  issuing  them,  he 
noticed  only  the  latter  one,  in  which,  perhaps,  he  concluded  that  the 
error  had  been  corrected.  It  is  not  at  all  an  improbable  supposition 
that  a:i  Englishman,  in  the  last  century,  should  have  confounded  Salo- 
mon's Lodge  in  Savannah,  with  Solomon's  Lodge  in  Charleston.  The 
official  list  in  Hutchinson,  however,  sets  the  question  completely  at  rest, 
and  proves,  by  djcumentary  eviderce,  that  Solomon's  Lodge  in  Charles- 
ton, and  Solomon's  Lodge  in  Savannah,  both  received  their  warrants 
from  Lord  Weymouth  in  1735. 

In  another  and  earlier  list,  now  lying  before  me,  which  is  entitled 
"A  new  and  correct  List  of  all  the  English  Regular  Lodges  in 
Europe,  Asia,  Africa  and  America,  according  to  their  seniority  and  con- 
stitution; By  order  of  the  GRAND  Masthis  brought  down  to  February. 
1708,"  I  find  the  following  notices,  which  completely  corroborate  the 
list  given  in  Hutchinson  : 

"  74.  Solomon's  Lodge,  Charles  Town,  South  Carolina;  First  and 
Third  Thursday,  1735. 

"  75.   Savannah,  at  Savannah  in  the  Province  of  Georgia,  1735. 


*  Illustrations  of  Masonry.     Oliver's  edition,  p.  205. 


4-  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

It  is  evident,  then,  from  what  has  heen  here  cited,  that  two  facts  have 
been  established  in  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  South  Carolina,  viz  : 
First,  that  a  warrant  was  granted  in  1735  by  Lord  Weymouth  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Lodge  in  Charleston  ;  and,  secondly,  that  that  Lodge 
was  not  organized  until  October,  1736. 

The  next  fact  of  importance  in  the  Masonic  history  of  South  Caro- 
lina is,  that  in  the  year  1736,  John  Hammerton,  Esq.,  was  appointed 
Provincial  Grand  Master  of  the  Colony.  As  this  office  was  one  which 
had  but  lately  been  adopted  in  the  Masonic  jurisprudence  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  and  as  a  knowledge  of  the  prerogatives  which  it 
conveyed  is  required,  clearly  to  comprebend  the  history  of  the  subse- 
quent progress  of  the  Order  in  Carolina,  it  is  proper  that  a  few  mo- 
ments should  be  devoted  to  the  investigation  of  this  subject. 

The  office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master  was  first  instituted  in  the 
year  1727,  during  the  administration  of  the  Earl  of  Inchiquin.  The 
commission  of  appointment  to  this  office  was  technically  called  a  "  Dep- 
utation," because  it  was  a  deputing  of  the  prerogatives  of  the  Grand 
Master,  to  a  certain  extent,  to  the  person  so  appointed.  The  Provin- 
cial Grand  Master  became  the  immediate  representative  of  the  Grand 
Master  in  the  district  or  province  over  which  he  was  appointed  to  pre- 
side, and  was  authorized  to  constitute  Lodges  therein.  Preston  informs 
us  that  the  first  deputation  of  this  kind  was  granted  by  the  Earl  of  In- 
chiquin, to  Hugh  Warburton,  Esq.,  for  North  Wales.  Deputations 
were  subsequently  granted  by  other  Grand  Masters  for  places  outside 
of  Great  Britain,  and  sometimes  for  foreign  kingdoms.  Thus  in  1731, 
Lord  Lovell  granted  deputations  for  Russia,  and  for  Andalusia,  in 
Spain,  and  the  Earl  of  Darnley,  in  1737,  issued  one  for  Geneva,  in 
Switzerland,  and  another  for  Upper  Saxony.  The  various  editions  of 
Anderson's  "Constitutions"  contain  extensive  lists  of  these  deputations. 
Among  these  lists  is  one  which  records  the  fact  that  in  1736  the  Earl  of 
Loudoun  granted  a  deputation  to  John  Hammerton,  Esq.,  for  South 
Carolina.  Preston  records  the  same  fact,  but  with  still  more  precision 
as  distinguishing  between  the  appointment  of  a  Provincial  Grand  Mas- 
ter for  South  Carolina  and  the  constitution  by  himself  of  new  Lodges 
in  that  Province,  for  he  says  that  the  Earl  of  Loudoun  "  constituted 
several  new  Lodges,  and  granted  three  deputations  during  his  presi- 
dency."    One  of  these  latter  being  that  for  South  Carolina.* 

The  precise  rank  that  John  Hammerton  held  in  the  Masonic  Order 

*  See  Preston's  Illustrations.     Oliver's  edition,  p.  207. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  5 

in  South  Carolina,  is  not  left  to  inference.  We  are  not  to  suppose  be- 
cause the  Gazette  of  the  day,  with  a  vagueness  common  with  the  pro- 
fane, when  spe  iking  or  writing  of  masonic  subjects,  says  that  he  was 
chosen  Master  of  the  new  Lodge,  that  his  was  simply  a  deputation  as 
such  to  open  and  hold  a  Lodge,  or  in  other  words,  a  mere  warrant  of 
Constitution  limited  to  that  particular  duty.  He  was  recognized  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  as  a  "  Provincial  Grand  Master,"  and  in- 
vested therefore  with  all  the  prerogatives  of  that  high  office.  There  is 
no  possible  room  for  doubt  ou  this  subject.  In  the  list  contained  in 
the  2d  edition  of  Anderson's  Constitutions*  it  is  expressly  said  that 
"Loudoun,  G.  M.,  granted  a  Deputation  to  John  Hammerton,  Esq., 
to  be  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina  iu  America."  Again, 
in  the  list  of  visitors  at  the  quarterly  communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Englaud,  held  on  the  lGth  of  April,  1738,  "  John  Hammer- 
ton,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  Carolina,"  is  recorded  as  being 
present.f 

John  Hammerton  was,  therefore — for,  from  all  that  has  been  cited, 
we  are,  I  think,  authorized  to  speak  positively — the  first  Provincial 
Grand  Master  of  the  Province  of  South  Carolina,  appointed  to  that 
office  in  1736  by  the  Earl  of  Loudoun,  who  was  then  Grand  Master  of 
England.  By  virtue  of  the  prerogatives  of  that  office,  he  was  author- 
ized to  constitute  new  Lodges  in  the  Province,  a  prerogative  which 
either  he,  or  his  successors,  undoubtedly  exercised,  since  although 
we  know  that  new  Lodges  were  constituted  anterior  to  1754,  when  a 
new  Provincial  Graud  Lodge  was  established,  the  English  registers  give 
no  account  of  any  warrant  granted  by  the  Grand  Master  of  England 
during  that  period,  for  any  Lodge  iu  South  Carolina.  These  warrants 
must,  therefore,  have  been  grauted  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Master. 

But  an  appareut  difficulty  meets  us  in  the  very  outset  of  this  history. 
How  are  we  to  reconcile  the  incongruity  that  Hammerton  was  at  the 
same  time  Master  of  the  only  Lodge  in  his  Province  and  Provincial 
Grand  Master  ?  The  difficulty,  however,  is,  I  think,  only  appareut  and 
not  real.  The  warrant  for  Solomon's  Lodge  was  undoubtedly  granted 
in  1735,  by  Lord  Weymouth.  The  usages  of  Masonry  teach  us  that  in 
that  warrant  the  names  of  the  Master  and  Wardens  must  have  been  in- 


*  Anderson,  edit.  1738,  p.  195. 
f  Anderson,  edit.  1769,  p.  234. 


6  HISTORY  OP  FREEMASONRY 

sorted.*  "Weymouth,  having  at  that  time  no  idea  of  a  Deputation  for 
Carolina,  but  intending  only  to  constitute  a  Lodge  in  the  Colony, 
granted  a  special  warrant  for  that  purpose,  and  Kammerton's  name  was 
inserted  in  the  instrument  as  the  first  Master.  We  know  not,  and 
probably  never  will  know,  what  causes  prevented  the  immediate 
organization  of  the  Lodge.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  the  views  of 
the  few  brethren  who  were  engaged  in  the  introduction  of  the  Order 
into  Carolina  became  ei.largcd,  and  they  determined,  instead  of 
coufining  themselves  to  the  organization  of  a  single  Lodge,  to  ask  for 
a  Deputation  which  should  constitute  the  Colony  into  a  Masonic 
Province.  Such  was  actually  the  result,  whatever  may  have  been  the 
causes  which  led  to  it.  In  the  next  year  a  Deputation  was  granted  by 
Lord  Loudoun,  and  John  Hammerton,  who  had  already  been  nominated 
as  the  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  was  appointed  the  Provincial 
Grand  Master.  The  warrant  for  the  Lodge  and  the  Patent  of  the 
Provincial  Grand  Master  coming  over  about  the  same  time,  it  was  not 
perhaps  thought  decorous  or  expedient  to  decline  the  former,  and  the 
Provincial  Grand  iMaster  accordingly  took  the  plice  of  Master  which 
had  been  assigned  him  in  the  warraut.  If  it  be  asked  why,  when  he 
was  appointed  Provincial  Grand  Master,  he  had  not  caused  an  alteration 
to  be  made  iu  the  warrant,  and  the  name  of  some  other  brother 
substituted  in  his  place,  the  answers  may  be  found,  first,  in  the  fact 
that  such  an  alteration  would  require  a  considerable  expenditure  of 
time  and  trouble  at  that  period,  when  voyages  across  the  Atlantic  were 
neither  quick  nor  frequent;  secondly,  in  the  great  respect  which  was 
entertained  by  his  brethren  for  his  Masonic  zeal  and  ability,  evidence 
of  which  is  continually  to  be  found  in  the  subsequent  recoids  of  the 
Order;  and  lastly,  and  more  especially,  iu  the  fact  that  in  the  paucity 
of  Masons  of  high  intelligence  in  so  young  a  country,  an  1  so  soon 
after  the  Masonic  revival,  Hammerton  alone  was  found  capable  of 
discharging  the  difficult  and  responsible  duties  of  the  chair. 

John  Hammerton,  who  has  the  honor  of  being  thus  prominently 
associated  with  the  early  history  of  Freemasonry  in  South  Carolina, 
was  a  man  of  talent  and  of  considerable  civil  distinction  iu  the  Colony. 


*  It  is  needless  to  say  that  that  warrant  has  been  either  lost  or  destroyed. 
Most  probably  the  latter,  in  one  of  the  many  conflagrations  which,  during  the 
past  century,  have  visited  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  in  several  of  which  the 
Masonic  halls  and  Lodge  rooms  have  been  sufferers. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA  7 

In  1732.  he  was  the  Receiver  General  of  his  Majesty's  Quit  Rents, 
and  in  1734,  tlie  Secretary  of  the  Colony.  In  1738,  he  is  recorded  as 
having  received  the  appointment  of  Register  and  Secretary  of  South 
Carolina  for  life.  These  were  all  offices  of  great  honor  and  trust,  and 
his  appointment  to  them  is  an  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  by  the  parent  government. 

Charles  Shepheard,  in  whose  house  this  first  Lodge  met,  was  a 
vintner  and  a  tavern  keeper  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Broad  and 
Church  streets.  His  house  was  then  and  long  afterwards  the  only 
public  hall  in  the  town.  The  town  meetings  were  always  convened 
there.  In  1745,  the  Court  of  Sessions  was  held  in  Shepheard's 
Tavern,  and  in  April  of  that  year  the  Grand  Jury  presented  it  as  being 
too  small.  It  was  sometimes  occupied  temporarily  even  for  religious 
purposes,  and  on  the  23d  of  May,  1745,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Orr,  of  Port 
Royal,  preached  a  sermon  there. 

Of  the  Wardens  of  the  new  Lodge  I  have  been  unable  to  learn 
auythiug.  They  appear  never  afterwards  to  have  made  any  progress 
in  Masonic  preferment.  They  are  never  again  mentioned  in  the 
record  of  any  subsequent  election,  and  either  departed  from  the 
Province  or  probably  lo^t  their  interest  in  the  Masonic  institution. 

Freemasonry  thus  instituted  in  Charleston,  soon  took  a  prominent 
place  among  the  social  and  benevolent  institutions  of  the  city.  Of 
this  I  have  found  several  proofs  in  the  old  files  of  the  South  Carolina 
Gazette. 

Thus,  the  following  notice  appears  in  the  Gazette  of  the  28th  of 
May,  1737: 

"  On  Thursday  night  last,  (the  26th  May,)  the  Recruiting  Officer 
was  acted  for  the  entertainment  of  the  Honorable  and  Ancient  Society 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  who  came  to  the  play-house  about  7 
o'clock,  in  the  usual  manner,  and  made  a  very  decent  and  solemn 
appearance;  there  was  a  fuller  house  on  this  occasion  than  ever  had 
been  known  in  this  place  before.  A  proper  prologue  and  epilogue 
were  spoke,  and  the  Entered  Apprentice's  and  Master's  song  sung  upon 
the  stage,  which  were  joined  in  chorus  by  the  Masons  in  the  Pit,  to 
the  satisfaction  and  entertainment  of  the  whole  audience.  After  the 
play,  the  Masons  returned  to  the  Lodge  at  Mr.  Shepheard's  in  the 
same  order  observed  in  coming  to  the  play-house." 

As  another  significant  indication  of  the  popularity  which  the  Order 
was  beginning  to  acquire  in  the  youthful  Colony,  it  may  be  remarked 
that  the  column  of  ship  news  of  the  2d  of  July  contains  the  announce- 


8  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ment  of  the  arrival  at  Charleston  of  the  sloop  Free-Mason  from 
Providence.  This  vessel  appears  to  have  been  a  regular  trader  to 
Carolina,  for  on  the  8th  of  December  following,  her  arrival  from  New 
York  is  announced. 

Mr.  Hammerton  did  not  long  retain  the  office  of  Provincial  Grand 
Master  nor  that  of  Master  of  the  new  Lodge,  for,  intending  to  leave 
the  Province  temporarily  for  England,  on  the  21st  of  July,  1737,  he 
resigned  the  latter  position,  and  was  succeeded  in  office  by  James 
Grseuie,  Esq.,  who  appointed  James  Wright  his  Senior  Warden,  and 
Maurice  Lewis  his  Junior. 

The  record  of  these  events  is  contained  in  the  South  Carolina 
Gazette,    for  Saturday,  23d  of  July,    1737,  and  is  in   these  words : 

"Last  Thursday,  [21st  July,  1737,]  John  Hammerton,  Esq., 
Receiver  General  of  his  Majesty's  Quit-rents,  Secretary  and  one  of  his 
Majesty's  Honorable  Council,  who  has  been  the  first  Master  of  the 
Lodge  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Socie'y  of  Free  Masons  in  this 
place,  and  intending  to  embark  on  board  the  ship  Molly  Galley,  John 
Carv'hers,  Master,  fjr  London,  at  a  Lodge  held  that  evening,  resigned 
his  office,  for  the  true  and  faithful  discharge  of  which  he  received  the 
thanks  of  the  whole  Society,  who  were  30  in  number.  James  Grozme, 
Esq.,  was  then  unanimously  chosen  Master  in  his  room,  and  having 
been  duly  installed  into  that  office  with  the  usual  ceremonies,  was 
pleased  to  chuse  and  appoint  James  Ttriyht,  Esq.,  who  was  Junior 
Warden,  to  be  Senior  Warden,  and  Maurice  Lewis,  Esq.,  Junior 
Warden." 

From  this  document,  brief  as  it  is,  we  may  gather  several  important 
particulars.  In  the  first  place,  we  see  that  the  young  and  inexpe- 
rienced Masons  of  South  Carolina  were  ignorant  of  that  law  of  the 
Mother  Grand  Lodge,  under  whose  authority  they  existed,  which 
prescribed  that  on  the  deposition  or  dismission  of  the  Master,  his 
authority  should  revert  to  the  Senior  Warden.*  We  learn  also  that, 
supposing,  as  we  m.ty  very  plausibly  do,  that  the  original  number  of 
members  did  not  much  exceed  the  constitutional  number  of  seven 
required  for  the  constitution  of  a  Lodge,  in  the  space  of  nine  months 
that  number  had  been  augmented  to  thirty,  an  increase  which, 
considering  the   size  of  the  town,  may  be  considered  as  indicating  the 


*  This  regulation  was  adopted  on  the  25th  of  November,  1723,  but,  as  Anderson 
states  in  his  2d  edition,  "  was  neglected  to  be  recorded,"  and  hence  perhaps  the 
ignorance  of  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina  on  the  subject. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  9 

prosperity  of  the  Order,  and  at  the  same  time  the  prudent  care  with 
which  admissions  were  made.  And,  1 ; stlv,  :is  James  Wright  is  here 
mentioned  as  having  been  the  Junior  Warden  in  July,  lToT,  while  the 
record  of  the  organization  of  the  Lodge  already  cited  shows  that  in 
October,  173G,  Thomas  Harbin  held  that  office,  we  are  led  to  conclude 
that  during  that  interval,  perhaps  on  the  intervening  festival  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist,  a  change  had  taken  place  in  the  subordinate 
officers.  Of  the  celebration  of  that  day  I  can  find  no  record,  but  it 
is  not  difficult  to  conjecture  that  on  that  occasion  both  the  old  Wardens 
were  left  off,  and  Graeme  and  Wright  appointed  in  their  place. 

This  also  shews  an  improvement  in  the  condition  of  the  Society; 
for,  whereas,  at  the  first  organization  the  Wardeus  chosen  were  men  of 
such  obscurity  of  character  and  position  that  no  contemporary  notice  of 
them  can  be  found,  in  the  subsequent  appointment  of  these  officers  the 
gentlemen  selected  were  men  of  character,  talent  and  position,  who 
were  enabled  to  reflect  honor  upon,  and  add  the  weight  of  their  popu- 
larity to,  the  infant  Society. 

James  Graeme,  who  was  an  attorney  at  law,  held,  at  the  time  of  his 
appointment  as  Master  of  the  new  ]  odgc,  the  position  of  Commis- 
sioner of  the  Market.  Afterwards  he  was  appointed  a  Lieutenant  in 
the  Secoud  Company  of  Militia,  which  was  enrolled  in  November, 
1738,  for  the  defence  of  the  Province  against  an  anticipated  attack  of 
the  Spauiards  of  Florida.  Subsequently  he  was  a  Representative  from 
Charleston  in  the  Commons  House  of  Assembly,  and  finally  received 
from  the  Crown  the  appointments  of  Chief  Justice  of  the  Province, 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty,  aud  a  seat  in  his  Majesty's  Council, 
offices  which  he  held  uutil  his  death,  which  took  place  on  Saturday, 
29th  of  August,  1752* 

James  Wright,  the  Junior  and  afterwards  the  Senior  Warden,  was 
at  one  time  the  Attorney  General  of  the  Province,  and  afterwards  its 
Agent  in  Great  Britain,  a  most  honorable  and  responsible  position. 
His  son,  Sir  James  Wright,  well  knowu  in  our  Revolutionary  History, 
upon  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Governor  Ellis,  of  Georgia,  for  leave 
to  return  home,  in  consequence  of  the  infirm  state  of  bis  health,  was 
appointed  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Georgia. 

Maurice  Lewis  was  the  progenitor  of  a  large  family,  many  of  whose 
members  have  held  or  are  now   holding  elevated  positions  iu  the  State. 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  1st  September,  17  62. 


10  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

H?  himself  was,  in  1738,  appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  build 
tip  the  curtain  line  before  Charle>ton  bay. 

Mr.  Hammerton  soon  after  left  the  Province,  and  in  the  proceedings 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  the  6th  of  April,  1738,  I  find 
him  recorded  as  a  visitor  under  the  title  of  "  Provincial  Grand  Master 
of  Carolina." 

This  use  of  the  title  must  however  have  been  a  mistake  either  of 
the  Editor  of  Anderson  or  of  the  recording  officer  of  the  Grand  Ledge, 
for  it  will  be  presently  seen  that  before  that  period  he  had  vacated  the 
office. 

The  South  Carolina  Gazette  for  Saturday,  the  20th  of  August,  1737, 
contains  the  following  important  paragraph  : 

"On  Thursday  night  last,  (18th  of  August,)  at  the  Solomon's  Ledge 
in  Charles-  Town,  a  Deputation  from  the  Right  Worshipful  and  Right 
Honorable  John,  Earl  of  Loudoun,  constituting  and  appointing  a  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina,  was  read,  when  James 
Graeme,  Esq.,  the  present  Grand  Master  of  the  said  Province,  proposed 
James  Wright,  Esq.,  to  be  Master  of  the  Solomon's  Lodge,  which  was 
unanimously  agreed  to  by  the  Lodge." 

Now  this  paragraph,  coming  as  it  does  to  us  with  all  the  authority 
of  contemporaneous  history,  is  suggestive  of  several  important  facts. 

It  is  true  that  neither  the  Book  of  Constitutions  nor  Preston  mention 
the  fact  that  the  Earl  of  Loudoun  had  issued  a  second  Deputation  for 
South  Carolina,  or  that  he  had  given  the  appointment  of  Provincial 
Grand  Master  to  James  Graeme,  yet  it  is  evident  from  the  paragraph 
just  cited,  as  well  as  from  other  subsequent  ones  to  be  hereafter  quoted, 
that  Graeme  did  exercise  that  office  after  the  departure  of  Hammerton 
from  the  Province. 

Without  anticipating  the  historical  matter  which  will  hereafter  be 
produced  in  its  proper  place,  it  may  be  sufficient  here  to  state  that 
there  is  ample  evidence  in  our  possession  that,  after  the  original 
appointment  of  Hammerton,  the  office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master  of 
South  Carolina  became  an  elective  office,  and  that  the  election  was 
vested  in  the  craft,  until  the  year  1754.  Whether  this  condition  was 
inserted  in  the  original  Deputation  of  Lord  Loudoun  to  John  Ham- 
merton or  not,  it  is  impossible  to  say,  as  that  document  is  not  now  in 
existence,  but  it  is  probable  that  such  was  the  case,  as  it  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina  would  have  undertaken, 
without  ample  authority,  to  exercise  so  high  a  prerogative  as  that  of 


W  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  H 

appointing  a  Provincial  Grand  Master.*  The  error  might  have  been 
committed  once,  but  it  would  not  have  been  habitually  repeated. 
Sober  reflection,  matured  experience,  or,  if  these  were  Wanting,  the 
official  interference  of  the  proper  authority,  would  have  prevented  a 
continued  renewal  of  the  error. 

I  suppose,  therefore,  that  the  fact  is  established  that  on  the  with- 
drawal of  John  Flanimerton  from  the  Province,  James  Graeme  was 
elected  his  successor  as  Provincial  Grand  Master,  and  it  is  probable 
that  this  election  took  place  at  a  meeting  of  the  Craft  or  of  the  Lodtre, 
for  at  that  time  the  Lodge  was  composed  of  the  whole  of  the  Craft, 
which  meeting  must  have  been  held  at  some  time  between  the  21st  of 
July  and  the  lSth  of  August,  1737.  I  can  fin-1,  it  is  true,  no  record 
of  this  meeting  or  election  in  the  Gazette,  but  tins  is  nothing  estra- 
o.dinary,  for  the  journals  of  that  day  were  not  remarkable  for  the 
avidity  with  which  they  collected  or  disbursed  items  of  news. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  at  the  meeting  in  August,  1737,  the  Lodge 
for  the  first  time  is  called  by  its  name  of  "Solomon's  Lodge,"  a  name 
that  it  has  ever  since  retained,  as  well  as  the  number  "  One,"  which 
was  subsequently  given  to  it  in  the  registry  of  the  Provincial  Graud 
Lodge. 

We  now  arrive  at  the  time  of  the  first  recorded  celebration  of  the 
Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  in  South  Carolina,  and  as  this 
account  is  suggestive  in  many  particulars,  I  shall  quote  it  in  full,  as 
published  in  the  South  Carolina  Gazette  for  the  29th  of  December, 
1737: 

"On  Tuesday  last,  being  St.  John's  day,  all  the  members  of  the 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  this 
place  met  at  Mr.  Seaman  s,  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  from  whence 
they  proceeded,  all  properly  clothed,  under  the  sound  of  French 
horns,  to  wait  on  James  Graeme,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master,  at  his 


*I  think  it  probable  that  the  "Deputation"  which  was  read  on  the  20th  of 
August,  1737,  was  the  original  Deputation  of  Loudoun  to  Ilanimerton,  issued  in 
1736  and  now  read  on  this  occasion,  pro  forma,  to  satisfy  the  craft  who  were 
present  of  the  legitimate  existence  of  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  and  of  what 
they  might  suppose  to  be  their  right  to  enter  into  an  election  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  resignation  and  removal  of  Bummer  ton.  Neither  Anderson 
nor  Preston  make  any  mention  of  a  second  Deputation  being  issued  by  the  Earl 
of  Loudoun  for  South  Carolina,  But  I  confess  that  in  this  early  period  of  our 
history,  in  consequence  of  the  almost  total  absence  of  all  Masonic  documents,  we 
are  compelled  to  Hoat  on  a  sea  of  conjecture. 


12  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

house  in  Broad  St.,  where  they  were  received  by  all  the  members  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  After  a  short  stay  there,  they  all  went  in 
procession  and  with  the  ensigns  of  their  Order  into  the  Court-Room  at 
Mr.  Charles  Shepheard's  house,  making  a  very  grand  show.  Here,  to 
a  numerous  audience  of  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  who  were  admitted 
by  tickets,  the  Grand  Master  made  a  verv  elegant  speech  in  praise  of 
Masonry,  which  we  hear  was  universally  applauded.  Then  the  Grand 
Lodge  withdrew  in  order  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  a  Grand  Master 
for  the  ensuing  year,  when  James  Graeme,  Esq.,  was  unanimously 
re-chosen  Grand  Master,  who  appointed  James  Wright,  Esq.,  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  Maurice  Lewis,  Esq.,  Senior  Grand  Warden,  John 
CrooJcshanks,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden,  James  Mivhie,  Esq.,  Grand 
Treasurer,  and  James  Gordon,  Esq.,  Grand  Secretary. 

"  The  same  day  Mr.  James  Crokatl  was  unanimously  chosen  Master 
of  Solomon's  Lodge." 

The  first  thing  that  attracts  our  attention  in  this  account,  is  the  fact 
that  the  Masons  of  the  Province  must  have  been  again  guilty  of  an 
irregu'arity ;  for  whereas,  we  have  seen  that  on  the  18th  of  August 
they  elected  the  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  (an  irregularity  to  which 
I  have  already  adverted,)  we  now  find  that  Mr.  Seaman  is 
recorded  as  being  the  Master  on  St.  John's  day.  An  election  must 
therefore  have  taken  place  in  the  interval  between  these  two  periods, 
and  this  election  could  not  have  been  at  the  Constitutional  Communi- 
cation before  the  Graud  Feast,  because  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
account  it  is  recorded  that  the  regular  election  took  place  on  St.  John's 
day,  and  that  Mr.  James  Crokatt  was  chosen  Master.  I  mention 
these  irregularities,  not  with  a  view  of  censuring  the  infant  Lodge,  but 
because  they  seem  to  me  to  furnish  ample  evidence  that  for  the  whole 
of  the  year  1737  the  Craft  were  laboring  under  the  disadvantage  of  a 
want  of  numbers  to  enable  them  to  enter  at  once  into  a  permanent 
organization.  We  have  already  seen  an  instance  of  this,  in  the  fact 
that  at  the  beginning  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  was  compelled  to 
act  as  Master  of  the  Lodge  which  he  had  himself  constituted,  an 
anomaly  which  does  not  appear  afterwards  to  have  been  repeated,  aud 
that  two  Wardens  were  elected,  who  were  in  all  probability  incom- 
petent or  unfitted  for  those  positions,  as  they  were  soon  afterwards 
displaced,  and  others  of  higher  reputation  and  greater  ability  selected 
as  soon  as  the  increasing  numbers  of  the  Craft  admitted  of  such  a 
selection. 

More   particularly,   however,  are  these   irregularities    referred    to, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  13 

because  they  enable  us  to  understand  what  was  the  exact  way  in  which 
the  Provincial  Graud  Lodge  was  organized,  for  without  the  explanation 
afforded  by  our  knowledge  that  irregularities  did  exist,  we  should  be 
unable  to  extract  out  of  these  imperfect  and  scanty  records  a  satis- 
factory account  of  the  time  and  manner  in  which  this  organization 
took  place. 

Of  the  existence  of  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  to  which  I  have 
here  alluded,  the  first  notice  that  we  have  is  to  be  found  in  the  account 
just  quoted.  Now  the  Deputation  of  a  Provincial  Graud  Master 
always  included  in  it  the  power  to  organize  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge, 
and  we  have  no  reason  to  suppose  that  the  Commission  which  deputized 
John  Hammerton  to  act  as  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  South  Carolina 
would  have  been  so  imperfect  as  not  to  include  this  authority.  But 
we  have  no  record  nor  evidence  that  he  ever  exercised  this  prerogative, 
and  we  suppose  that  both  he  and  his  successor,  who,  it  is  probable,  was 
elected  by  the  members  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  acting  as  a  General 
Assembly  of  the  Craft,  and  not  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,* 
submitted  to  the  irregularity  of  governing  the  Province  for  more  than 
a  year  without  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  simply  because  there  was 
not  a  sufficient  number  of  Masons  who  were  by  character,  by  talent, 
and  by  inclination,  fitted  to  occupy  the  several  chairs. 

But  by  the  time  that  the  Grand  Feast  of  1737  had  arrived,  this 
objectiou  had  been  removed,  and  the  number  of  Masons  having  greatly 
increased,  and  many  of  the  most  respectable  persons  in  the  Colony 
haviug  been  iuitiated,  on  the  Festival  of  St.  John  in  that  year,  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  duly  organized,  and 
the  varimis  offices  filled  by  competent  persons. 

DalcWis  therefore  wrong  in  stating  that  the  first  Provincial  Grand 
Lod«-e  was  established  in  1754. t  A  new  one,  as  will  be  hereafter 
shown,  was  organized  in  that  year;  but  its  predecessor,  the  original 
one,  was  established  on  the  27th  of  December,  1737. 

Of  James  Crokatt,  who  on  the  same  day  was  elected  Master  of 
Solomon's  Lodge,  we  know  nothing  more  than  that  in  the  succeeding 
June  he  was  appointed  "one  of  his  Majesty's  llouorable  Council,"  and 


*  It  is  equally   probable,   for   all   is   here  conjecture,   that   Hammerton  first 
appointed  Greame  as  his  successor,  ami  that  he  was  reappointed  by  election  in 

1 7 ; ; 7 .     But  tbe  reasoning  from  this  fact,  if  assumed,  would  be  the  same  as  that 
pursued  in  the  text. 

f  Palcbo,  Ah.  Rez.,  p.  195. 


J4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

that  in  1760  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Commons  House  of 
Assembly.  lie  appears  from  these  facts  to  have  been  a  man  of  some 
distinction  in  the  Colony. 

In  the  South  Carolina  Gazette  for  Thursday,  the  26th  of  January, 
1738,  we  find  the  following  important  record  : 

"  We  hear  that  at  Mr.  William  Find's,  at  the  sign  of  the  Harp  and 
Crown,  is  held  a,  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  be'onging  to  the  Lodge  of  St.  John.  Dr. 
Newman  Oglethorpe  being  chosen  Master." 

Perfectly  to  understand  the  character  of  this  Lodge,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  refer  to  the  history  of  Masonry  in  another  part  of  the 
Continent.  In  the  year  17-33,  Viscount  Montacute,  then  Grand 
Master  of  England,  granted  a  Warrant,  or  mure  properly  a  Deputation, 
appointing  Henry  Price,  of  Boston,  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  North 
America.  Under  this  authority  he  opened  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 
in  Boston  oh  the  30th  of  July,  1733,  and  appointed  his  Deputy  and 
Wardens.  The  Grand  Lodge  thus  organized,  assumed  and  was 
recognized  by  the  appellation  of  "St.  John's  Grand  Lodge,"  and 
proceeded  to  grant  Warrants  for  instituting  regular  Lodges  in  various 
parts  of  North  America.  Webb,*  from  whom  this  account  is  taken, 
mentions  South  Carolina  as  one  of  the  places  in  which  these  new 
Lodges  were  instituted.  But  until  I  met  with  the  paragraph  above 
cited  from  the  Carolina  Gazette,  I  had  found  no  other  account  of  the 
Lodge  instituted  in  South  Carolina  by  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge  of 
Boston,  than  the  mere  announcement  in  Webb's  Monitor  that  such  a 
Lodge  had  been  constituted.  There  is,  however,  no  longer  any  d'-ubt 
that  the  Lodge  said  to  have  been  held  in  1738  in  Charleston,  at  "the 
Harp  and  Crown,"  received  its  warrant  from  St.  John's  Gnrnd  Lodge 
of  Boston,  and  hence  the  journalist  calls  it  a  "  Lodge  of  St.  John." 
The  phraseology  of  the  paragraph  seems  to  indicate  that  it  had  an 
existence  anterior  to  the  date  of  the  notice.  It  was  probably  organized 
late  in  the  year  1737,  and  was  thus  the  second  Lodge  established  in 
the  Province.  But  as  its  Constitution  was  manifestly  an  interference 
with  the  prerogatives  and  jurisdiction  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge, 
it  must  have  been  soon  abandoned,  and  hence  it  is  that  we  find  no 
further  account  of  it  in  the  subsequent  Masonic  proceedings  of  the 
Province. 

The    Festival    of    St.    John    the    Evangelist   was   celebrated    with 

*  Webb's  Monitor,  Ed.  1808,  p.  299. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  [.-, 

hitherto  unexampled  splendor.  The  description  of  the  Festival  in  the 
South  Carolina  Gazette  is  well  worth  copying,  as  an  evidence  of  the 
high  state  of  popularity  to  which  the  Order  had  already  attained  in 
the  Colony. 

"  Yesterday  being  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  day 
was  ushered  in  with  firing  of  guns  at  sunrise  from  several  ships  in  the 
harbor,  with  all  their  colors  flying.  At  9  o'clock  all  the  members  of 
Solomon's  Lodge,  belonging  to  the  Ancient  aud  Honorable  Order  of 
Free  aud  Accepted  Masons,  met  at  the  house  of  the  Honorable  James 
Crokatt,  Esq.,  Master  of  the  said  Lodge,  and  at  10,  proceeded  from 
thence,  properly  clothed  with  the  Ensigns  of  their  Order,  and  Music 
before  them,  to  the  house  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  James 
Graeme,  Esq.,  where  a  Grand  Lodge  was  held,  and  James  Wright, 
Esq  ,  elected  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  the  ensuing  year,  then  the 
following  officers  were  chosen,  viz:  Maurice  Lewis,  Esq.,  Deputy 
Provincial  Grand  Master;  Mr.  George  Seaman,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
James  Graeme,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden;  James  Michie,  Esq., 
Grand  Treasurer,  and  Mr.  James  Gordon,  Grand  Secretary. 

"At  11  o'clock,  both  Lodges  weut  in  procession  to  Church  to  attend 
Divine  Service,  and  in  the  same  order  returned  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Charles  Shepheard,  where,  in  the  Court-room,  to  a  numerous  assembly 
of  ladies  and  geutlemen,  the  newly  elected  Provincial  Grand  Master 
mad j  a  very  eloquent  speech  of  the  usefulness  of  societies,  and  the 
benefit  arisiug  therefrom  to  mankiud.  The  assembly  being  dismissed, 
Solomon's  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  electiou  of  their  officers  for  the 
ensuing  year,  when  Mr.  John  Houghton  was  chosen  Master;  Dr.  John 
Lining,  Senior  Warden;  Mr.  David  McClellan,  Junior  Warden;  Mr. 
Arthur  Strahan,  Secretary,  and  Mr.  Alexander  Murray,  Treasurer. 
After  an  elegant  dinner,  all  the  brethren  were  invited  by  Capt.  Thomas 
White  on  board  the  Hope;  there  several  loyal  healths  were  drank,  and 
at  their  coming  on  board  and  return  on  shore,  they  were  saluted  by  the 
discharge  of  o9  guns,  being  the  same  number  observed  in  each  of  the 
different  salutes  of  this  day,  so  that  in  all  there  were  about  250  guns 
fired.  The  evening  was  concluded  with  a  ball  and  entertainment  for 
the  ladies,  and  the  whole  was  performed  with  much  grandeur  and 
decorum." 

An  account  of  a  celebration  like  this  furnishes  the  most  irrefutable 
evidence  of  the  popularity  of  the  institution  in  that  day,  and  of  the 
warm  interest  taken  by  the  public  in  its  affairs.  It  is  a  convincing 
proof  that  up  to  that  time  the  Order  must,  from  its  organization,  have 


16  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

been  conducted  with  clue  regard  to  those  benignant  principles  which 
lie  at  its  very  foundation,  and  which  could  alone  have  secured  for  it 
such  general  esteem. 

Mr.  Houghton,  who  was  elected  on  that  occasion  the  Master  of 
Solomon's  Lodge,  and  was  thus  the  fifth  who  had  occupied  that  chair, 
was  a  merchant  in  Charleston,  of  the  firm  of  Houghton  atjd  Webb. 
Of  Mr.  Wright,  the  new  Provincial  Grand  Master,  I  have  already  had 
occasion  to  speak  on  a  preceding  page. 

The  celebration  in  1739  is  described  as  being  of  a  less  imposing 
character.  On  Thursday,  the  27th  of  December,  1739,  the  brethren 
met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Houghton,  the  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge; 
thence  they  proceeded  to  the  house  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Master, 
then  to  Church,  and  after  Divine  Service,  to  Shepheard's  Tavern, 
where  the  following  Provincial  Grand  Officers  were  elected  for  the 
year  1740 : 

James  Grseme,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

Mr.  John  Houghton,  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

James  Wright,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Wardeu; 

James  Michie,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Mr.  James  Gordon,  Grand  Secretary. 

On  the  same  occasion,  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  officers 
of  Solomon's  Lodge: 

Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  Master; 
Mr.  Alexander  Murray,  Senior  Warden; 
Mr.  Hugh  Anderson,  Junior  Warden; 
Mr.  Samuel  Prioleau,  Treasurer; 
Mr.  John  Gwyn,  Secretary. 

I  have  said  that  the  celebration  on  this  occasion  was  described  as 
being  of  a  less  imposing  character  than  that  of  the  precedirg  year. 
And  one  would  be  inclined  to  suppose,  that  such  was  the  fact,  if  he 
were  to  judge  of  it  from  the  brief  account  given  in  the  Gazette,  of 
which  the  notice  above  cited  is  a  summary.  But  I  am  inclined  to 
think  that  the  absence  of  any  record  of  a  public  participation  in  the 
festivities  is  to  be  attributed  rather  to  the  neglect  or  carelessness  of 
the  Editor  who  gave  the  account,  than  to  the  fact  that  no  such  partici- 
pation took  place.  It  will  be  found  that  on  subsequent  occasions  the 
same  interest  was  exhibited  as  was  shown  iu  the  preceding  year,  and  I 
am  unwilling  to  believe  that  the  celebration  of  1739  was  less  imposing 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  17 

or  creditable  to  the  popularity  of  the  Craft  than  the  one  which 
preceded  it,  or  those  which  followed. 

Of  Junes  Grrenie,  who  was  now  elevated  to  the  Provincial  Grand 
Mastership,  I  have  already  spoken.  To  Benjamin  Smith,  the  sixth 
Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  and  who  lived  to  hold  the  highest  positions 
in  the  fraternity,  I  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to  refer. 

On  the  18th  of  November,  1740,  a  large  part  of  Charleston  was  des- 
troyed by  a  conflagration,  which,  commencing  about  2  o'clock  in  tha 
afternoon,  in  a  saddler's  shop  on  the  south  side  of  Broad  street,  between 
Church  street  and  East  Bay,  consumed  every  house  south  of  Broad  and 
east  of  Church  streets,  including  both  these  streets.  The  amount  of 
property  destroyed  was  estimated  as  amounting  to  nearly  a  million  and 
a  half  of  dollars.  Much  want  and  distress  necessarily  ensued,  and  uni- 
versal  sympathy  was  excited.  A  solemn  fast  was  proclaimed,  and  con- 
tributions were  taken  up  in  the  Churches  and  other  places'  for  the 
sufferers.  It  is  pleasing  to  observe  that  on  that  occasion,  the  first  in 
which  they  had  had  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting  the  practical  influ- 
ence of  the  benevolent  principles  of  their  institution,  the  Freemasons 
of  the  town  are  recorded  as  having  subscribed  the  amount  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  As  the  whole  number  of  the  members  of 
the  Society  could  not  then  have  exceeded,  if  it  amounted  to  fifty,  this 
must  bo  considered  as  a  liberal  subscription.  I  am  led  to  suppose, 
from  the  terms  of  the  subscription,  that  it  was  their  act  as  a  body,  and 
not  as  individuals. 

The  Grand  Feast  was  again  celebrated  with  great  splendor  in  the 
year  1740.  The  account  of  it  in  the  Carolina  Gazette  is  so  full  and 
interesting,  that  I  am  induced  to  quote  the  whole  article.  When  con- 
temporary records  can  be  obtained,  they  are  always  the  best  and  most 
undoubted  authority,  and  should  be  preferred  in  a  historical  document 
to  the  second  hand  details  of  auy  subsequent  writer.  The  following  is 
the  report  of  the  Gazette.* 

"  Saturday  last  [27th  of  December,  1740]  being  the  Festival  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist,  the  day  was  ushered  in  with  firing  of  guns  at 
sunrise,  from  several  ships  iu  the  harbor,  with  all  their  colors  flying. 
At  9  o'clock  all  the  members  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  belonging  to  the 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Fiee  and  Accepted  Masons,  met  at 
the  house  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  Master  of  the  said  Lodge;  and  at 
10,  proceeded  from  thence,  properly  clothed,  with  the  ensigns  of  their 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  1st  January,  1741. 


18  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Order,  to  the  house  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  James  Graeme, 
Esq.,  where  a  Grand  Lodge  was  held,  and  Mr.  John  Houghton  was 
elected  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  the  ensuing  year,  then  the 
following  officers  were  chosen,  viz  : 

Mr.  George  Seaman,  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master; 
Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 
Mr.  James  Graeme,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 
James  Michie,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 
James  Wright,  Esq.,  Grand  Secretary. 

"  At  11  o'clock  both  Lodges  went  in  procession  to  church  to  attend 
Divine  Service;  and  in  the  same  order  returned  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Charles  Shepheard,  where  Solomon's  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  election 
of  their  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  when 

Mr.  Alexander  Murray  was  chosen  Master ; 
Mr.  Hugh  Anderson,  Senior  Warden ; 
Mr.  Samuel  Prioleau,  Junior  Warden  ; 
Mr.  John  Gwin,  Treasurer; 
Mr.  John  Oyston,  Secretary. 

"After  an  elegant  dinner,  all  the  brethren  being  invited,  went  on 
board  the  Lydia,  Capt.  Allen,  and  from  thence  on  board  the  John  and 
William,  Capt.  Fishbourue,  where  several  loyal  healths  were  drank  un- 
der the  discharge  of  a  great  many  guns.  The  above  ships  were  on  this 
occasion,  decked  out  with  a  great  many  colors,  and  illuminated  at  night 
with  a  great  number  o'  lights,  regularly  disposed  on  the  yards,  both 
of  which  made  a  very  grand  and  agreeable  appearance.  In  the  even- 
ing the  brethren  adjourned  to  Mr.  Shepheard's  again,  where  they  con- 
cluded the  day  suitable  to  the  occasion.  The  whole  was  conducted 
with  the  utmost  order  and  decency." 

No  better  idea  can  be  furnished  of  the  true  zeal  and  devotion  to  the 
interests  of  the  Craft,  which  actuated  the  most  distinguished  brethren 
in  those  early  days  of  Carolina  Masonry,  than  the  spectacle  here  ex- 
hibited, where  we  find  brethren  who  had  received  the  highest  honors 
of  the  Order,  willingly  descending  to  occupy  inferior  statiuns,  when  the 
exigencies  of  the  infant  institution  required  such  a  sacrifice  of  ease  and 
dignity.  The  positions  of  Junior  Grand  Warder,  and  Grand  Treasurer 
were  accepted  by  two  brethren,  both  of  whom  had  occupied  the  office 
of  Provincial  Grand  Master,  and  who,  having  arrived  at  this  exalted 
station,  might  readily  have  been  excused  if  they  had  retired  thencefor- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  19 

ward  from  active  official  labor.  But  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was 
still  young  in  years,  and  its  members  but  few,  and  they,  therefore,  pre- 
ferred to  work,  although  in  subordinate  posts,  rather  than  to  be  idle,  or 
refuse  to  lend  their  cooperation  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of 
the  Society. 

The  Grand  Feast  was  celebrated  in  1741,  with  what  had  now  become 
the  usual  demonstrations.  The  account  of  it  in  the  Gazette,*  is  in  the 
following  words  : 

"On  Monday  last,  [27th  December,  1741,]  the  brethren  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodge  and  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  proceeded  in  their  proper 
clothing  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Master's  house  to  church,  where  a 
sermon  suited  to  the  occasion  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Brother  Du- 
rant,  and  the  brethren  returned  in  the  due  order  of  Masons,  to  Mr.  Shep- 
heard's  house,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was  prepared  for  them 
aud  some  other  gentlemen  of  distinction,  invited  by  the  Grand  Master. 

"  The  following  officers  were  chosen  for  the  ensuing  year,  viz  : 

Of  tiie  Provincial  Grand   Lodge  : 

The  Hon.  John  Hammerton,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

Mr.  George  Seaman,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 

James  Michie,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 

James  Wright,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Mr.  Alexander  Murray,  Grand  Secretary. 

Of  Solomon's  Lodge  : 
Mr.  Hugh  Anderson,  Master ; 
The  Hon.  Richard  Hill,  Esq.,  Senior  Warden  ; 
Mr.  John  Gwynn,  Junior  Warden; 
Mr.  John  Oyston,  Treasurer ; 
Mr.  Samuel  Bowman,  Secretary; 
Mr.  William  Ross,  ~i 

Mr.  William  Lowndes,   j 

"Great  numbers  of  guns  were  discharged  from  the  ships  in  the 
harbor  during  the  procession  and  afterwards;  and  the  whole  was 
conducted  with  the  greatest  order  and  decency,  the  night  concluding 
with  the  illumination  of  the  vessels  of  the  brethren  in  the  harbor,  and 
a  ball  to  the  ladies." 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  2d  January,  1742. 


20  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

John  Hammerton,  who  was  thus  again  honored  with  the  Grand 
Mastership,  had  gone  to  England,  as  we  have  seen,  in  1737;  but 
having  returned  in  1740  to  the  Colony,  the  brethren  were  at  once 
ready  to  avail  themselves  of  his  Masonic  abilities.  His. second  election 
was  a  tribute  to  his  character,  which  was  undoubtedly  well  merited. 

Hugh  Anderson,  A.M.,  who  was  this  year  elected  Master  of 
Solomon's  Lodge,  was  a  man  of  much  learning.  In  1739,  when  it  is 
probable  that  he  first  came  to  the  Colony,  he  was  engaged  in  teaching, 
to  private  classes,  geography  and  the  use  of  the  globes.  In  1740,  he 
was  elected  head  master  of  the  Free  School  in  Charleston,  and 
continued  in  that  honorable  position  until  the  21st  of  November,  1748, 
when  he  died. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Durand,  (incorrectly  spelt  "  Durant"  in  the  notice,) 
who  delivered  the  discourse  on  the  Grand  Feast,  was  an  Episcopal  Clergy- 
man, and  at  that  time  the  Rector  of  Christ  Church  Parish.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  St.  John's,  Berkeley,  where  he  officiated  as  a  faithful 
pastor  until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  the  year  1765.* 

In  the  following  year,  (1742,)  the  Grand  Feast  was  again  celebrated 
with  the  usual  demonstrations.  The  account  of  it  in  the  South 
Carolina  Gazette  is  as  follows  :f 

"Monday  last  (28th  Dec,  1742|)  being  the  anniversary  meeting  of 
the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the 
members  of  Solomon's  Lodge  met  at  the  house  of  Worshipful  Mr. 
Hugh  Anderson,  Master  of  the  Lodge,  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning; 
from  thence  they  walked  in  procession  to  the  house  of  the  Right 
Worshipful  John  Hammerton,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master,  and 
there  joined  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  from  thence, 
(being  properly  clothed,)  both  Ledges  proceeded  regularly,  with  the 
ensigns  of  their  Order,  and  music  before  them,  to  Church,  where  they 
heard  a  very  learned  sermon  from  their  brother,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Durant 
[Durand];  then  returned  in  due  order  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Charles 
Shepheard,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was  prepared,  and  the 
Lodges  being  called,  the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen  officers  for 
the  ensuing  year : 

R.  W.  Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 
James  Michie,  Esq.,  Depu.y  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

*  See  Dalcho's  Church  History,  pp.  269,  281. 
f  South  Carolina  Gazette,  3d  January,  1743. 
X  St.  John's  day  fell  that  year  on  Sunday. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  21 

Mr.  Alexander  Murray,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Mr.  Hugh  Anderson,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
James  Wright,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 
James  Graeme,  Esq.,  Grand  Secretary. 

The  Worshipful  Mr.  John  Gwinne,  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge; 

Mr.  John  McKenzie,  Senior  Warden; 

Mr.  John  Oyston,  Junior  Warden; 

Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  Treasurer; 

Mr.  Kenneth  Michie,  Secretary; 

Mr.  Henry  Harramond,  ) 

Mr.  Itobert  Blyth,  j  Stewards' 

"  During  all  this  time  great  numbers  of  guns  were  fired  from  the  ships 
in  the  harbor,  and  after  dinner  several  loyal  toasts  were  drank.  The 
whole  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  order  and  decency,  and  the 
evening  conducted,  suitable  to  the  occasion,  with  a  ball  to  the  ladies." 

We  learn  from  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  that  in 
1741  a  law  was  unanimously  adopted,  forbidding  any  brother  to  print, 
or  cause  to  be  printed,  the  proceedings  of  any  Lodge,  or  any  part 
thereof,  or  the  names  of  the  persons  present  at  such  Lodge,  lest  by  the 
direction  of  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy;  and  this  law  was  to  be 
enforced  by  the  several  Masonic  penalties.  This  regulation  must  have 
been  communicated  to  the  Masons  of  Carolina,  and  it  is  to  its  influence, 
I  suppose,  that  we  are  to  attribute  the  fact  that  from  the  year  1743  to 
1750,  both  inclusive,  there  is  not  the  slightest  notice  of  a  Masonic 
celebration  to  be  found  in  the  contemporary  journal.  The  official 
records  have  been  lost,  and  this  period  of  eight  years  presents  a  blank 
in  the  Masonic  History  of  South  Carolina,  which,  unfortunately,  we 
have  no  means  of  filling  up. 

The  Order,  however,  although  it  had  retired  from  public  view,  in 
obedience  to  the  mandate  of  its  superior,  still  continued  to  exist,  and, 
in  all  probability,  to  flourish.  In  the  list  of  Lodges  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  which  is  appended  to 
llut.-hinson's  "Spirit  of  Masoury,"  it  is  stated  that  in  1743  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  granted  a  warrant  for  "  Prince  George  Lodge,"  at 
Georgetown,  in  South  Carolina.  It  holds  the  number  of  75  in  that 
registry. 

There  is  no  notice  of  any  celebration  of  the  Grand  Feast  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  1751,  but  the  Carolina  Gazette  contains  the 


22  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

following  account  of  the  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the 
Evangelist,  by  a  new  Lodge  at  Beaufort  : 

"  The  27th  ult.,  (December,  1751,)  being  the  Festival  of  St.  John 
the  Evangelist,  at  10  o'clock,  the  members  of  a  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Greene,  at  Beau- 
fort, (on  Port  Royal  Island,)  and  at  11,  went  in  procession  from  thence, 
properly  clothed  with  the  ensigns  of  their  Order,  to  church,  to  attend 
Divine  Service,  where,  after  prayers,  an  excellent  sermon,  suitable  to 
the  occasion,  was  preached  by  their  late  worthy  Master,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Peaseley.  From  church  they  returned  in  the  same  processional  order 
to  Mr.  Greene's,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was  provided,  to 
which  all  the  company  of  note  on  the  Island  were  previously  invited. 
After  dinner  and  the  usual  healths  drank,  the  whole  was  concluded 
with  the  greatest  order  and  good  fellowship.  The  procession  was 
saluted  by  a  discharge  of  the  cannons  from  all  the  vessels  in  the  har- 
bor, both  at  going  to,  and  returning  from,  church."*  * 

Of  the  existence  of  a  Lodge  at  Beaufort,  this  is  the  first  notice  that 
I  have  been  able  to  obtain.  Dalcho  calls  it  "  Port  Royal  Lodge,"  and 
although  he  is  very  unreliable  as  to  dates,  he  may  be  presum  d  to  be 
correct  in  giving  the  name.  The  lists  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Eng- 
land, to  which  reference  has  already  been  made,  record  the  fact,  that  in 
1756,  a  warrant  was  granted  for  Port  Royal  Lodge,  in  South  Carolina, 
to  which  the  number  126  is  affixed  in  Hutchinson's  list. 

Now  if  the  warrant  for  Port  Royal  Lodge  was  not  granted  by  the 
Grand  Master  of  England  Until  1756,  and  yet  if,  as  the  record  proves, 
Port  Royal  Lodge  celebrated  a  Masonic  festival  in  December,  1751, 
then  the  difficulty  can  only  be  explained  in  one  of  the  two  following 
modes ;  either  the  Lodge  was  working  at  that  time  under  the  warrant 
of  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  and  found  it  necessary,  in  1756,  after 
the  decadence  of  the  Provincial  Lodge,  to  which  I  shall  soon  have  oc- 
casion to  allude,  to  apply  for  a  warrant  to  the  parent  authority  in  Eng- 
land; or  it  was  in  1751,  acting  under  some  implied,  promised,  or 
expected  authority  from  England,  Which  was  not  realized  until  1756. 
This  was  the  case,  as  will  be  shown  hereafter,  with  Union  Kilwinning 
Lodge,  in  Charleston,  which,  although  it  did  not  receive  its  Charter 
from  Scotland  until  1759,  is  known  to  have  been  in  active  existence 
before  that  date.     The  distance  of  England  from  the  Colonies,  the  un- 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  10th  January,  1752. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  23 

settled  state  of  the  latter,  and  the  imperfect  condition  of  Masonic  juris- 
prudence in  those  early  days  of  the  Ord^r,  gave  frequent  occasion  to 
similar  irregularities. 

One  thing,  however,  is  certain,  that  the  Lodge  at  Beaufort  was  the 
third  Lodge  which  was  in  active  existence  in  South  Carolina,  and  that 
that  existence  begun  not  later  than  the  year  1751. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in 
the  year  1751.  Masonry  was,  however,  still  cultivated  in  the  Province, 
and  an  article  published  in  Timothy's  Gazette,  of  March  30th,  of  the 
year  1752,  is  in  itself  of  so  singular  a  character,  as  an  Essay  on  Masonic 
symbolism,  and  as  being  the  first  literary  article  ever  published  in  South 
Carolina  which  made  any  allusion  to  Freemasonry,  that  I  do  not  hesi- 
tate to  rescue  it  from  the  columns  of  a  periodical  now  entirely  out  of 
print  and  inaccessible  to  the  great  body  of  the  Craft.  It  will,  I  think, 
on  these  accounts,  be  read  with  interest.  Perhaps  I  am  not  wrong  in 
referring  it  to  the  pen  of  Bro.  Hugh  Anderson,  who  was  at  one  time 
the  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge.     The  Essay  is  as  follows  : 

"  Mr.  Timothy  :  As  Geometry  is  a  science  of  universal  use  and 
benefit  to  mankind  ;  to  show  where  it  had  its  rise,  will  not,  I  presume, 
be  an  unacceptable  entertainment  to  your  readers.  To  enumerate  its 
progress  would  be  needless ;  that  has  been  done  by  many  eminent  au- 
thors. And  though  what  I  am  now  to  offer  to  the  public,  is  perhaps 
known  but  to  very  few,  yet  I  confess  myself  indebted  on  this  occasion 
to  the  ingenious  remarks  of  a  gentleman,  no  less  famous  for  his  skill  in 
ancient  than  in  modern  Masonry. 

"  This  great  author,  (John  Langley,)  who  is  a  real  ornament  to  his 
country,  takes  notice  that  Geometry  had  its  rise  from  one  of  the  most 
sublime  instances  of  divine  architecture,  the  mechanism  of  the  human 
body,  which  is  so  curiously  framed  as  to  fit  all  the  various  purposes  of 
life.  Such  as  are  destined  for  labor,  are  found  robust  and  strong ;  those 
for  activity  and  address,  of  a  more  slender  and  genteel  body  ;  and  the 
man  for  business,  a  mean  between  these  extremes.  This  observation  of 
the  ancients,  he  says,  gave  rise  to  the  Doric,  Ionic  and  Corinthian  or- 
ders in  arcrrtecture.  But,  to  come  to  the  point,  the  discovery  by  the 
ancients  was  in  this  manner.  They  made  choice  of  a  man  that  to  the 
eye  appeared  in  just  proportion  and  symmetry.  This  man  they  laid  on 
his  back  ;  then  extending  his  arms  in  a  straight  line,  and  placing  his 
legs  in  a  line  exactly  perpendicular  thereto,  and  drawing  parallel  right 
lines,  to  touch  the  extremity  of  his  head,  fingers  and  feet,  they  found 


24  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

•  that  their  angles  of  intersection  generated  a  geometrical  square,  whose 
diagonal  lines  intersected  each  other  exactly  on  his  secreta.  Again,  ex- 
tending his  body  so  as  the  opposite  legs  and  arms  respectively  forming 
right  lines,  and  intersecting  each  other  on  the  navel  of  his  body,  they 
found  that  the  alternate  and  opposite  angles  were  respectively  equal  one 
to  another.  Hence  they  found  him  to  measure  the  compass  of  the 
earth.  Again,  making  the  navel  of  his  body  the  centre,  and  the  dis- 
tance from  the  navel  to  the  extremity  of  the  longest  finger  radius,  they 
described  a  circle  and  found  it  to  touch  the  other  extremities  of  his 
body;  and  all  the  lines  drawn  from  any  point  of  circumference  through 
the  navel  to  the  other,  would  be  equal  one  to  another.  And  thus  the 
circle  and  geometrical  square  and  properties  of  straight  lines  were  first 
discovered  from  a  well  proportioned  human  body.  And  from  them  all 
the  various  properties  and  affections,  that  now  form  that  most  noble 
science  of  geometry,  have  arisen.  To  improve  the  most  noble  art,  to 
adore  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Univetse,  is  one  of  the  arcanums  of 
Freemasonry.  In  recommending  which  to  all  the  Sons  of  Liberty,*  I 
conclude,  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Archeologus." 

Twenty-one  years  after  thi3  Essay  had  been  published,  Preston  taught 
his  European  brethren  precisely  the  same  thought,  that  "  the  science 
of  Geometry  is  established  as  the  basis  of  our  art."  It  must  be  con- 
fessed that  the  Masons  of  Carolina  had  begun,  at  an  early  day,  to  ap- 
preciate something  of  the  philosophical  and  scientific  principles  of  the 
institution. 

In  1752,  the  silence,  in  which  for  eight  years  the  proceedings  of  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge  had  been  shrouded,  was  broken,  and  a  record, 
brief  and  most  unsatisfactory,  in  the  Gazette,  informs  us,  that  "  the 
27th  past  [December,  1752]  being  the  Festival  of  St.  Jchn  the  Evan- 
gelist, the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  this  town  commemorated  the 
same  in  the  usual  manner.  At  Port  Royal  there  was  a  procession,  a 
i  grand  feast,. and  at  every  health  drank,  guns  fired. "f 


*  A  political  terra,  at  that  time  ranch  in  use,  and  applied  to  designate  the 
members  of  that  party  who  were  opposed  to  the  oppressive  exactions  of  the  pa- 
rent government.  At  a  later  period,  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty  "  became  the  Whigs  of 
the  Revolution. 

f  South  Carolina  Gazette,  8th  January,  1*753. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  25 

We  are,  however,  told  nothiug  reliting  to  the  election  of  officers, 
either  in  the  Grand  Lodge  or  in  Solomon's  Lodge.  One  item  only  can 
we  gather  from  this  imperfect  account,  namely,  that  there  were,  at  that 
time,  two  Lodges  in  the  Province,  one  at  Charleston  and  the  other  at 
Beaufort. 

In  the  dearth  of  Masonic  intelligence  at  that  period,  every  item,  how- 
ever trivial,  becomes  of  importance  to  the  annalist.  Throughout  the 
hies  of  the  Gazette  for  the  while  year,  a  single  paragraph  attracts  at- 
tention. It  is  an  advertisement  of  William  Barrows,  who  gives  notice 
of  a  stolen  watch,  "  to  the  string  of  which  was  appended  a  silver 
badge  of  Masonry."  This,  at  le;ist,  shows  that  Masonic  jewelry,  which 
some  over  zealous  brethren  hive  lately  been  covdemning  as  an  innova- 
tion, was  known  and  used  in  South  Carolina,  one  hundred  and  eight 
years  ago. 

There  was  a  celebration  on  St.  John's  day,  in  1753,  the  account  of 
which,  in  the  Gazette,  although  more  extensive,  is  still  imperfect.  It 
is  in  these  words  : 

"Tuesday  last  [27th  December,  1753]  being  St.  John  the  Evange- 
list's day,  the  members  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Gordon  at  9 
o'clock,  where  the  Provincial  Lodg*i  was  formed.  After  electing  Mr. 
William  Burrows,  Master  for  the  ensuing  year;  Mr.  James  Grindlay, 
Senior  Warden  ;  Dr.  John  Moultrie,  the  younger,  Junior  Warden  ; 
Mr.  Paul  Douxsaint,  Treasurer,  and  Peter  Timothy,  Secretary,  all  the 
brethren,  being  properly  clothed  with  the  ensigns  of  their  Order,  &.c, 
and  their  flag  carried  before  them,  marched  in  procession  to  church, 
where  an  excellent  sermon  was  preached  on  the  occasion  by  their  Ilcv. 
Bro.  Baron,  from  these  words  :  '  For  this  is  the  message  which  ye 
heard  from  the  beginning,  that  we  should  love  one  another.'  I.  John, 
3:11.  After  Divine  Service  they  returned  in  procession  to  Bro.  Gor- 
don's, where  a  genteel  entertainment  was  provided  for  the  company. 
Dinner  over,  the  usual  toasts  were  drank,  and  the  remainder  of  the  d.\y 
was  spent  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  the  fraternity  at  all  their  meetings, 
or,  in  other  words,  in  the  most  perfect  harmony  and  good  fellow- 
ship."* 

Here  was  evidently  a  falling  off.  We  have  no  firing  of  salutes  at 
sunrise,  nor  of  guns  after  each  toast — no  visiting  of  the  vessels  of  the 
brethren  in  the  harbor,  and   no  bill   to  the  hidies  at  nig::t.     The  Order 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  1st  January,  1754. 


26  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

had  become  either  more  modest  and  retiring  in  itself,  or  less  popular 
among  the  profane. 

But  what  is  more  important  to  us  than  the  absence  of  all  these  out- 
ward demonstrations,  is  that  the  meagre  account  leaves  us  entirely  in 
doubt  whether  th3  officers  there  meutioned  as  being  elected,  were  those 
of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  or  of  Solomon's  Lodge.  I  am  inclined 
to  think  that  the  latter  was  the  case.  Judging  from  the  evidence  which 
the  proceedings  of  the  ensuing  year  supply,  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  if  not  absolutely 
"functus  officio,"  if  it  had  not  ceased  to  exist — for  I  do  not  think  that 
it  had  arrived  at  that  result — was,  at  least,  in  a  feeble  and  languishing 
condition.  After  sixteen  years  of  active  existence,  it  had  at  length 
succumbed  to  that  outward  pressure,  which  so  often  paralyzes  for  a  time, 
the  energies  of  Masonry  in  particular  localities,  and  under  special  cir- 
cumstances. This  period  of  inaction  hud  probably  begun  some  years 
before,  although  the  silence  of  the  public  Gazette,  the  only  authority 
to  which  we  have  access,  had  kept  us  ignorant  of  the  morbid  condition 
of  the  Order.  In  1753,  we  suppose  that  the  disease  had  come  to  its 
crisis,  for  it  will  be  seen  in  the  next  chapter,  thit  a  regeneration  had 
taken  place.  A  new  Deputation  wis  issued,  and  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  was  reinaugurated  under  more  for.nal  circumstances.  But  this 
will  be  the  subject  of  the  next  chapter. 

In  January,  1754,  on  the  29th  day  of  the  month,  we  have  the  first 
notice  of  a  Masonic  funeral  in  the  Province,  and  as  such  it  deserves  a 
record.  Dr.  Frederick  HolzendorfF  died  on  Thursday,  the  24th  of 
January,  1754,  in  Charleston.  I  find  no  other  record  of  him  than  that 
contained  in  his  obituary,  which  describes  him  as  "  a  man  whose  dili- 
gence and  care  in  his  vocation,  as  well  as  amiable  disposition,  behavior 
and  character,  had  gained  him  the  esteem  of  every  individual." 

The  Gazette*  records  that,  "  on  Friday  evening,  he  was  decently  in- 
terred, after  the  manner  of  the  Freemasons,  many  of  whom  attended 
the  funeral  in  precession,  during  which  minute  guns  were  fired." 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  29th  January,  1754. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  27 


CHAPTER  II. 

RE-ESTABLISHMENT   OF    THE    PROVINCIAL    GRAND   LODGE. 

The  period  of  inaction,  which  marked  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina  for  some  time  previous  to  1754,  and  to  which  I 
have  adverted  in  the  preceding  chapter,  was  in  that  year  brought  to  a 
happy  conclusion,  and  was  followed  by  an  important  reaction. 

In  the  year  1754,  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
which,  as  I  have  already  shown,  was  first  organized  in  1737,  and 
which,  after  several  years  of  prosperous  existence,  began  at  length  to 
languish,  was  reestablished  in  consequence  of  a  new  Deputation. 

In  the  4th  edition  of  Anderson's  Constitutions,  it  is  recorded,  that 
in  1754,  the  Marquis  of  Carnarvan,  who  was  afterwards  Duke  of 
Chandos,  granted  a  Deputation  "to  Peter  Leigh,  Esq.,  Chief  Justice 
of  South  Carolina,  for  Carolina." 

The  brother  here  referred  to  as  having  received  the  distinguished 
honor  of  reviving  the  Masonic  authority  of  the  Province,  and  who 
was  afterwards  known  as  the  Honorable  Peter  Leigh,  Esq.,  was  at  one 
time  High  Bailiff  of  Westminster,  and  in  1753,  was  appointed  by  the 
Crown,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Province  of  South  Carolina.  In  1752, 
he  served  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  as  one  of  its  Grand  Stewards, 
having  been  nominated  in  that  year  by  Sir  Richard  Wrottesley,  Part., 
as  his  successor.  He  arrived  with  his  family  at  Charleston  on  the  22d 
of  October,  1754,  and  assumed  at  once  the  duties  of  the  office  of 
Chief  Justice.  He  died  at  Charleston  on  the  21st  of  August,  1750, 
and  his  obituary,  in  the  Gazette  of  the  day,  records  the  honorable 
testimonial  that  "  his  public  and  private  character  was  such  that  his 
death  is  a  sensible  loss  to  the  community,  and  to  all  who  had  any 
connexion  or  acquaintance  with  him,  and  will  be  long  remembered."* 

It  is  fortunate,  that  amid  the  dearth  of  Masonic  documents  referring 
to  the  early  history  of  Masonry  in  Carolina,  owing  partly  to  the  lapse 
of  time,  but  more  particularly  to  the  disastrous  conflagration  of  so 
large  a  part  of  the  city  of  Charleston  in  1838,  in  which  the  Masonic 
Hall    was   involved,    a  copy   of   this    Deputation   should    have   been 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  25th  August,  175?. 


28  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

preserved.  It  is  to  be  found  in  the  brief  history  attached  to  Dr. 
Dalcho's  "Ahinian  Rezon,"  published  in  1822,  under  the  sanction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.     It  is  as  follows: 

[l.  s]  CARNARVAN,  G.  M. 

TO  ALL  AND  EVERY  OUR  RIGHT  WORSHIPFUL,  WOR- 
SHIPFUL AND  LOVING  BRETHREN:  WE,  JAMES 
BRYDGES,  MARQUIS  OF  CARNARVAN,  GRAND  MASTER 
OF  THE  ANCIENT  AND  HONORABLE  SOCIETY  OF 
FREE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS,  SEND  GREETING: 

Know  ye,  that  we,  of  the  great  trust  and  confidence  reposed  in  our 
Right  Worshipful  and  well-beloved  brother,  PETER  LEIGH,  Esq., 
Chief  Justice  of  South  Carolina,  in  America,  do  hereby  constitute  and 
appoint  him  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  the  Province  of  South  Caro- 
lina, aforesaid,  and  of  the  territories  thereunto  belonging ;  with  full 
power  and  authority,  in  due  farm  to  make  Masons,  and  constitute  and  reg- 
ulate Lodges,  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion  may  require  ;  and  also  to  do 
and  execute  all  and  every  such  other  acts  and  things  appertaining  to 
the  said  office,  as  usually  have  been,  and  ought  to  be  done  and  executed 
by  other  Provincial  Grand  Masters:  He,  our  said  Provincial  Grand 
Master,  taking  special  care  that  all  and  every  the  members  of  every 
Lodge  he  shall  constitute,  have  been  regularly  made  Masons,  and  that 
they  do  observe,  perform,  and  keep  all  and  every  the  rules,  orders,  and 
regulations,  contained  in  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  (except  such  as 
have  been  or  may  be  repealed  at  any  Quarterly  Communication,  or 
other  general  meeting,)  together  also  with  all  such  other  rules,  orders, 
regulations,  and  instructions,  as  shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  transmitted 
by  us,  or  Thomas  Manningham,  our  Deputy,  or  by  any  of  our  successors, 
Grand  Masters,  or  his  Deputy  for  the  time  being.  And  we  do  hereby 
will  and  require  our  said  Provincial  Grand  Master  to  cause  four  Quar- 
terly Communications  to  be  held  yearly,  one  whereof  to  be  upon,  or  as 
near  to,  the  Feast  Day  of  St.  John  Baptist,  as  conveniently  may  be. 
And  that  you  promote  on  those,  and  all  other  occasions,  whatever  may 
be  for  the  honor  and  advantage  of  Masonry,  and  the  benefit  of  the 
Grand  Charity,  and  that  you  yearly  send  to  us,  or  our  successors,  Grand 
Masters,  an  account  in  writing,  of  the  proceedings  therein  ;  and  also 
of  what  Lodges  you  shall  constitute,  and  when  and  where  held,  with  a 
list  of  the  members  thereof;  and  copies  of  such  rules,  orders  and  regu- 
lations, as  shall  be  made  for  the  good  government  of  the  same,  with 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  99 

whatever  else  you  shall  do,  by  virtue  of  these  presents;  and  that  at 
the  same  time  you  remit  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society,  for  the  time 
being,  at  London,  three  pounds  three  shillings,  sterling,  for  every  Loo>e 
you  shall  constitute,  for  the  use  of  the  Gkuod  Charity,  and  other  neces- 
sary purposes. 

Given  at  London,  under  our  hand  and  seal  of  Masonry,  this  30th 
day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1754;  A.  L.  5754. 

TttO.  MANNINGIIAM,  D.  G.  M. 

Witness, 

John  Revis,  G.  S. 

No  sooner  had  Mr.  Leigh  arrived  in  Carolina,  than  he  prepared  to 
carry  into  effect  the  ample  provisions  of  this  Deputation.  Accordingly 
on  the  5th  of  December,  1754,  he  caused    the  following  notice  tolbe 

issued,  which,  as  it  is  the  very  first  instance  of  the  notice  of  a  Masonic 
meeting  that  was  ever  published  in  South  Carolina,  will,  perhaps,  on 
that  account,  be  viewed  as  a  curiosity.  It  was  inserted  in  Timothy's 
South  Carolina  Gazette  for  the  5th  of  December,  175-L 

"  By  Order  of  the  Grand   Master. 
"The  Grand  Annual  Feast  and  General  Communication  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  is   to   be  holden   in    Charleston,  on    Friday,  the 
27th  of  December,  instant,  being  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day.  '  All 
brothers  arc  desired   to  provide   themselves   with  tickets,  (as  none  will 
be  admitted  without  them,)  and  to  meet    that  day   by  eight  o'clock  in 
the  morning  precisely,  at  the  house  of  brother  John  Gordon,  in  order 
to  attend   the   Grand    Master  and    his  officers  to  St.  Philip's  Church 
where  a  sermon  is  to  be  preached  by  a  Rev.  brother  ;   whence  they  are 
to  return  in  procession  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  a  decent  and  suitable 
entertainment  will  be  provided. 

"  No  Tickets  to  be  given  out  after  Thursday,  the  24th  inst     'till 
which  day  they  may  be  had  of 


Samuel  Perkins, 
Egerton  LEion, 
Henry  Laurens, 
John  Stuart, 
Robert  Wells, 


Stewards 

of  the 

Grand  Lodge." 


This  notice  was  repeated  in  all  the  subsequent  papers  until  the   day 


30  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

of  the  Grand  Feast.     In  the  meantime  the  Hon.  Peter  Leigh  had  con- 
stituted a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  with  the  following  officers  : 

M.  W,  the  Hon.  Peter  Leigh,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

V.  W.,  the  Hon.  James  Michie,  Provincial  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

It.  W.,  the  Hon.  Henj.  Smith,  Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden ; 

Pi.  W.,  Win.  Henderson,  A.M.,  Provincial  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

W.,  William  Burrows,  Provincial   Gra  id  Treasurer  ; 

W.,  Samuel  Perkin-?,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Samuel  Carne,  Provincial  Grand  Sword  Bearer } 

Egerton  Leigh, 

John  Stuart, 

Charles  Pinckney, 

TT  T  >  Provincial  Grand  Stewards: 

Henry  Laurens,  ' 


Robert  Wells, 
John  Cooper, 
George  Sheed,  Provincial  Grand  Tiler. 


) 


Of  the  principal  Grand  Officers  named  in  this  list,  Leigh,  the  Grand 
Master,  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  Colony,  James  Michie,  his  Deputy, 
was  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty,  and  d  member  of  his  Council ; 
Benjamin  Smith,  the  Senior  Grand  Warden,  was  Speaker  of  the  Colo- 
nial House  of  Assembly,  and  William  Henderson,  the  Junior  Grand 
Warden,  was  Master  of  the  Free  School  in  Charleston.  He  was  a  man 
of  talent  and  education,  and  the  author  of  a  collection  of  poems,  pub- 
lished by  subscription  in  that  town,  in  1757.  He  was  the  first  teacher 
who  introduced  military  exercises  into  his  system  of  education,  a  plan 
which  was  soon  afterwards  pursued  in  other  schools  of  the  Colony. 

On  Friday,  27th  of  December,  1754,  the  members  of  Solomon's 
Ledge  having  met,  elected  the  following  officers  : 

James  Grindlay,*  Esq.,  Worshipful  Master; 
Dr.  Samuel  Carne,  Senior  Warden  ; 
Egerton  Leigh,  Esq.,  Junior  Warden ; 
Mr.  Henry  Laurens,  Treasurer ; 
Mr.  Thomas  Evance,  Secretary. 

The  Gazette  of  the  9th  of  January  following  gives  the  details  of 
the  subsequent  proceedings  in  the.se  w   id 

"The  election  of  officers  over,  Solomon's  Lodge   went  in   procession 

*  James  Grindlay,  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  was  an  Attorney  at  Law.     He 
died  in  the  year  1766. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  31 

from  the  house  where  they  had  met,  to  that  of  the  Hon.  Provincial 
Grand  .Master,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  formed,  and  thence  at- 
tended his  Honor  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  all  properly  clothed,  &o.,  to 
church,  where  an  excellent  sermon  was  preached  by  their  brother,  the 
ltev.  Alexander  Baron.  After  Divine  Service,  the  procession  continued 
from  church  to  their  brother  Gordon's  Tavern,*  where  they  diued  and 
spent  the  afternoon,  (to  the  number  of  upwards  an  hundred,)  with  the 
harmony  and  regularity  peculiar  to  that  Society.  And  in  the  evening 
they  went  to  the  new  theatre,  where  the  tragedy  called  The  Distressed 
Mother  was  presented,  with  an  occasional  prologue  and  epilogue,  and 
some  Mason's  songs  between  the  Acts." 

Of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Baron,  who  preached  the  sermon  on  this  re- 
markable occasion  of  the  reestablishmcnt  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge, 
it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  say  a  few  words.  He  was  a  native  of 
Aberdeen,  in  Scotland,  and  had  received  a  classical  education.  Arriv- 
ing in  the  Colony  in  1748,  as  the  schoolmaster  of  a  British  man-of-war, 
he  was  appointed  the  head  master  of  the  Free  School  in  Charleston,  a 
post  which  had  been  just  then  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Hugh 
Anderson,  who,  it  will  be  remembered,  was,  in  1742,  the  Master  of 
Solomon's  Lodge.  In  1753,  Mr.  Baron  having  resigned  the  Master- 
ship of  the  School,  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Win.  Henderson,  also  a  promi- 
nent Mason,  and  went  to  Europe,  where  he  received  Priest's  orders. 
In  1754  he  returned  to  Carolina,  in  the  same  vessel  with  Chief  Justice 
Leigh,  and  was  at  once  invested  with  the  ministerial  charge  of  St. 
Philip's  Church,  where  he  preached  his  first  sermon.  He  died  in  1759 
at  St.  Paul's  Parish,  whither  he  had  removed  in  the  preceding  year, 
to  take  charge  of  the  church  there. 

Dalclio,  who,  writing  iu  1822,  before  the  unfortunate  destruction  of 
the  archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  had  ample  opportunities  for  referring 
to  the  old  documents,  of  which,  however,  he  unfortunately,  and  indeed 
inexcusably,  did  not  avail  himself  to  any  very  great  extent,  informs  us 
of  an  interesting  incident  which  occurred  on  this  day. 

The  Provincial  Grand  Master,  after  the  installation  of  the  Grand 
Officers,  presented  the  Grand  Lodge  with  a  sword  of  State,  which 
Dalcho  describes  as  being  "  a  large,  elegant  and  curious,  two-edged 
sword,  in  a  rich,  velvet  scabbird,  highly  ornamented  with  Masonic  em- 
blems, aud  the  GiuuJ    Master's   Anna."     [t  ha  1  bng  been  in  posses- 

*  James  Gordon  was  the  successor  of  Shepheard,  and  kept  Lis  Tavern  at  the 
same  place,  the  North-east  corner  of  Broad  and  Church  streets. 


32  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

sion  of  the  Grand  Master's  family,  and  was  said  to  have  once  belonged 
to  Oliver  Cromwell,  a  legend  to  which  some  share  of  probability  is 
given,  by  the  fact  (hat  the  Provi  cial  Grand  Master  was  a  descendant 
of  Sir  Edward  Leigh,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Long  Parliament  and 
a  Parliamentary  General  in  the  time  of  the  Protector,  from  whom,  per- 
haps, he  received  it. 

The  further  history  of  this  sword  may  as  well  be  given  here.  From 
the  time  of  the  presentation  it  continued  in  the  possession  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  was  borne  by  the  Grand  Sword  Bearer,  or  in  later 
times,  the  Grand  Pursuivant,  in  all  public  processions.  At  length  at 
the  conflagration  which,  in  the  year  I808,  destroyed  so  large  a  portion 
of  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  with  other  buildings  the  Masonic  Hall, 
the  sword  was,  with  great  difficulty,  saved  by  br  ther  Samuel  Seylc,  the 
Grand  Tiler,  with  the  loss  of  the  hilt,  the  scabbard,  and  a  small  part  of 
the  extremity  of  the  blade.  In  the  cmfusion  consequent  on  the  fire, 
the  sword  thus  mutilated  was  mislaid,  and  lor  a  long  time  it  was  sup- 
posed to  b3  lost.  In  18)2,  a  o  11  uittee  was  appointed  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  make  every  exertion  for  its  recovery,  and  at  length,  in  the 
begiuniug  of  the  year  1854,  it  was  accidentally  found  by  the  Grand 
Tiler,  in  an  outhouse  on  his  premises,  and  was  by  him  restored  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  its  mutilated  condition.  The  lost  piece  of  the  blade 
was  ingeniously  replaced  by  a  cutler  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  an  1 
being  sent  to  New  York,  was  returned  with  new  hilt  and  velvet  scab- 
bard, and  was  used  in  its  appropriate  place  during  the  centennial 
ceremonies  of  that  year. 

Daleho  speaks  of  St.  George's  Lodge  at  Dorchester  as  having  been 
established  soon  after  the  year  1735  This  may  have  been  the  case, 
and  yet  I  find  no  record  among  the  Knglish  lists  of  a  warrant  having 
been  granted  for  such  a  Lodge,  nor  do  I  meet  with  any  record  of  its 
existence  in  the  journals  or  gazettes  of  that  period,  until  the  year 
1755,  when  the  following  notice  announced  it  as  preparing  to  celebrate 
the  Festival  <jf  St.  John  the  Baptist: 

"By  order  of  the  Master  of  St.  George's  Lodge,  the  Annual  Feast 
of  the  said  Lodge  is  to  be  held  i:i  Dorchester,  on  Tuesday,  the  24th  of 
June  (being  St.  John  Baptist's  day).  The  brethren  are  desired  to 
attend  in  their  proper  clothing,  and  to  provide  themselves  with  ticket-, 
as  none  can  be  admitted  without  them.  The  Lodge  will  meet  precisely 
by  nine  of  the  clock  in  the  morning,  at  the  house  of  Mr*.  Judith 
Pustell,  in  order  to  attend  the  Master  and  officers  to  St.  George's 
Church.     A  sermon  is  to  be  preached  by  a  lieverend  Brother,  from 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  33 

whence  they  are  to  return  in  procession  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  a 
decent  and  suitable  entertainment  will  be  provided.  Tickets  may  be 
had  by  apphjiug  to 

Charles  Faucheraud,  -\ 

Wm.  Logan, 

Edward  Legge,  f  Rewards." 

Samuel  Postell,  ) 

But  as  Governor  Glenn  about  that  time  paid  a  visit  to  the  Confraree 
Fu  t,  and  was  accompanied  by  two  companies  of  cavalry,  among 
which  budies  were  the  piincipal  officers  and  members  of  the  Lodge,  a 
notice  subsequently  appeared,  signed  by  Meynell  Walter,  the  Secretary, 
announcing  the  postponement  of  the  Feast  until  the  24th  of  July. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  1755.  Leigh,  the  Grand  Master,  was  at 
that  time  on  a  visit  to  Boston,  aid  Michie,  his  Deputy,  was  sick,  so 
that  th .!  duty  of  presiding  devolved  on  the  lion.  Benjamin  Smith, 
Senior  Grand  Warden.  The  accouut  of  the  celebration  is  thus  given 
in  the  Carolina  Gazette.* 

"On  •  aturday,  27th  ult.,  [December,  1755,]  the  Ancient  Society  of 
Free  .Masons  J  eld  their  Provincial  Graud  Anniversary  here  About 
10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  brethren  waited  on  the  Honorable  Benjamin 
Smith,  Esq.,  at  his  own  house,  where  previously  the  Grand  Lodge  had 
been  formed,  (the  high  office  of  Grand  Master  devolving  on  him  by 
t'  e  absence  of  the  Honorable  Peter  Leigh,  Esq.,  and  his  1  eputy's 
being  confined  by  sickness,)  whence  they  proceeded  to  St.  Philip's 
Church,  where  a  sermon  suitable  to  the  occasion  was  preached  by  their 
Reverend  Brother, f  the  Hector  of  St.  Paul's,  and  the  Master  of  a 
Lodge.  From  Church  they  proceeded  in  the  proper  order  to  the 
Lodge  room,  where,  about  2  o'clock,  an  elegant  entertainment,  provided 
under  the  direction  of  the  Stewards,;};  was  served  up.  None  being 
present  but  those  of  the  fraternity,  the  whole  was  conducted  with 
decency  and  decorum,  so  peculiar  to  the  Society.  During  the  afternoon, 
'till  (3  0  clock,  when  the  Grand  Master  ordered  the  Lodge  to  be  closed, 
and  the  assembly  broke  up,  all  customs  and  solemnities  were  observed 
according  to  the  aucieut  and  venerable  usages  of  Masons." 

*  Sontli  Carolina  Gazette,  Sth  January,  1756. 
t  Rev.  Alexander  Baron. 

J  The   (Ji'.unl  Stewards   were,   John   Stu.irt,   Robert   Wells,  Jolin  Cooper, 
Doufjall  Campbell,  John  Barnutt,  and  1'uul  Douxsaiiit. 


;>,4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

No  change  was  made  this  year  in  the  Provincial  Grand  Officer.?,  who 
were  as  follows  : 

Hon.  Peter  Leigh,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 

Hon.  James  Michie,  Provincial  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Hon.  Benjamin  Smith,  Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Mr.  William  Henderson,  Provincial  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Mr.  William  Burrows,  Provincial  Grand  Treasurer; 

Mr.  Samuel  C.  Perkins,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary. 

St.  John  the  Baptist's  d;iy  w:is  celebrated  in  1756  by  St  George's 
Lodge,  at  Dorchester.  There  was  as  usual  a  Feast,  and  tickets  were 
advertised  for  thirty  shillings,  to  be  obtai  led  of  the  Stewards. 

The  first  nutice  of  a  Quarterly  Communication  of  th  ;  Provincial 
Grand  L  dge  appears  in  June,  17">6.  As  the  public  summons 
indicates  who  were  at  that  time  considered  as  the  members  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  it  may  be  advisable  to  copy  the  advertisement  from  the 
Carolina  Gazette.* 

"All  former  Grand  Officers  and  present  Grand  and  other  Officers 
and  Stewards  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  and 
Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  the  Province  of 
South  Carolina,  and  the  pres  nt  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  tviptlar 
constituted  Lodges  in  the  said  Province,  are  desired  to  assemble  in 
Quarterly  Communication,  on  the  2d  Thursday  iu  June,  1756,  at  the 
house  of  Brother  Gordon,  in  Charles-Town. 
"  By  the  Grand  Master's  command. 

SAMUEL  PERKINS,  G.  S." 

Hence  it  appears  that  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  had  accepted  the 
regulation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  adopted  in  17-1,  which 
declares  that  "the  Grand  Lodge  consists  and  is  formed  by  the  Masters 
and  Wardens  of  all  regular,  particular  Lodges  upon  record,  with  the 
Grand  Master  at  their  head,"  &c.  But  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina 
had  already  fallen  into  an  innovation  in  admitting  the  Past  Grand 
Officers  to  membership. 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1756,  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 
celebrated  the  Grand  Feast  as  usual.  An  excellent  sermon  on 
universal  benevolence  and  charity  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Brother 
Charles  Martyn,  A.M.,  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Parish.     The  number 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  5th  June,  1756. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  35 

of  brethren  who  were  present  at  the  dinner  amounted  to  120.  Most 
of  the  vessels  in  the  harbor  honored  the  day  by  displaying  their  flags 
and  firing  salutes. 

In  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  I  find  it  stated 
that  ia  the  year  1756  warrants  were  granted  by  that  authority  for  two 
Lodges  in  South  Carolina,  namely:  Port  Royal  Lodge,  at  Beaufort, 
dated  the  15th  of  September,  which  it  would  appear,  as  I  have  already 
shown,  was  in  existence  for  some  time  before,  and  another  Lodge  which 
is  si  :iply  described  as  "a  Master's  Lodge  at  Charles-Town,  South 
Carolina."*  Six  Lodges  had  therefore,  up  to  this  time,  been  warranted 
in  South  Carolina,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge,  and  through  it,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  These  were 
Solomon's  Lodge,  at  Charleston;  Prince  George's  Lodge,  at  George- 
town; Port  Loyal  Lodge,  at  Beaufort;  St.  George's  Lodge,  at  Dor- 
chester; Union  Lodge,  at  Charleston;  and  the  unnamed  Master's 
Lodge,  warranted  during  the  year  at  the  same  place.  One  of  them 
must,  however,  so  in  have  become  dormant  or  extinct,  since  in  the 
printed  notice  of  the  Grand  Communication  in  December,  1758,  "the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  five  regular  and  constituted  Lodges 
under  the  Provincial  jurisdiction  are  desired  to  attend." 

Union  Lodge  was  constituted  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in 
May,  175"),  and  afterwards  received  a  second  warrant  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Scotland  in  1759,  when  it  took  the  additional  title  of  Kit 
winning.  But  there  are  difficulties  connected  with  these  double 
charters,  to  which  I  shall  advert  in  the  Appendix  when  treating  of 
particular  Lodges. 

Theie  is  unfortunately  a  hiatus  in  the  files  of  the  Carolina  Gazette 
from  the  25th  uf  August,  1757,  to  the  10th  of  November,  1758,  and 
1  am  therefore  unable  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  celebration  of 
the  Graud  Feast  in  the  former  year.  The  Annual  Communication  was 
however  hoi  leu,  and  the  following  Grand  Officers  were  appointed : 

Hon.  Peter  Leigh,  Provincial  Grand  Master; 
Hon.  James  Michie,  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master; 
Wm.  Henderson,  A.M.,  Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Hon.  Henry  Middlcton,  Provincial  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 
Robert  Wells,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary. 
_ > — 

*  The  date  of  the  warrant  «t'  tlii-  Lodge  i-  22d  March,  1756.  It  met  wini- 
monthly,  on  the  2d  and  4th  Thursday.  The  Lodge  at  Fort  Royal  met  on  every 
other  Wedneada? 


36  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Grand  Feast  was  celebrated  on  the  27th  of  "December,  1758. 

The  Reverend  Brother  Charles  Martyn  again  officiated  as  Chiiplain, 
and  preached  a  sermon  at  St.  Michael's  Church  on  mutml  love  and 
benevolence.  This  sermon  was  published  at  the  request  of  the 
Fraternity,  and  was  the  first  Masonic  address  ever  printed  in  the 
Colony. 

In  the  year  1759,  the  Colony  was  engaged  in  a  war  with  the  French 
and  the  Cherokee  Indians.  Much  anxiety  and  distress  prevai'ed,  and 
the  celebration  of  the  Annual  Communication  of  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  was,  in  consequence,  postponed.  Th3  necessary  information  of 
this  fact  was  given  in  the  following  notice,  published  in  the  Carolina 
Gazette.* 

"In  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  assembled  in  Quarterly. 
Communication,  6th  December,  5759. 

"  Present,  The  V.  W.,  and  lion.  James  Michie,  Esq.,  G.  M.,  &c. 

"  Resolved,  That  according  to  the  fixed  and  ancient  principles  of  this 
Society,  it  would  be  improper,  in  the  present  circumstances  of  this 
Province,  to  celebrate  the  Provincial  Grand  Anniversary  and  General 
Communication. on  the  Feast  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  this  year,  and 
therefore  that  the  celebration  of  the  said  Anniversary  be  postponed  to 
such  future  day  as  shall  appear  most  proper  to  the  Grand  Master  and 
other  Grand  Officers,  of  which  day,  when  fixed  upon,  they  will  order 
TTue  notice  to  be  given. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  above  Resolution  be  published  in  both  news- 
papers, for  the  information  of  all  concerned. 

"By  the  Grand  Master's  command. 

ROBERT  WELLS,  G.  S." 

Solomon's  Lodge,  the  first  established  in  the  Province,  appears  at 
this  time  to  have  been  in  a  prosperous  financial  condition,  for  1  observe 
that  Isaac  DaCosta,  the  Treasurer,  gives  notice  in  a  public  advertise- 
ment that  six  hundred  pouuds  belonging  to  the  Lodge  are  to  be  let 
upon  interest. 

The  Hon.  Peter  L  igh,  Provincial  Grand  Master,  died  on  the  21st 
of  August  in  this  year,  and  until  the  appointment  of  a  new  deputation, 
the  duties  of  the  office  were  discharged  by  the  Hon.  James  Michie,  his 
Deputy. 

*  South  Carolina  Gazette,  22d  December,  1759. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  37 


CHAPTER   HI. 

FROM   THE    DEATH    OF    PETER    LEIGH,  TO    THE    ELECTION    OF    HIS    SON 
AS     PROVINCIAL    GRAND    MASTER. 

In  consequence  of  the  death  of  the  late  Provincial  Grand  Master, 
the  Hon.  Peter  Leigh,  it  became  necessary  that  a  new  deputation  should 
issue,  and  accordingly  in  i he  year  1761,  as  we  learn  from  the  records 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  Lord  Aberdour,  at  that  time  Grand 
Master  of  Masons  of  England,  granted  his  deputation,  appointing  the 
Hon.  Benjamin  Smith,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  South  Caro- 
lina. 

The  name  of  Benjamiu  Smith  must  already  be  familiar  to  the  reader, 
since  it  will  be  seen,  by  a  reference  to  the  preceding  pages,  that  he 
had  served  in  1740  as  the  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge,  in  1742  as 
Seuior  Grand  Warden,  and  in  1743  as  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  of 
the  old  Provincial  Grand  Lodge.  In  1754,  on  the  organization  of  the 
new  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  under  Chief  Justice  Leigh,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden,  which  office  he  held  until 
the  Provincial  Grand  Mastership  becoming  vacant,  his  high  position  in 
the  Colonial  Government,  but  more  especially  his  long-tried  zeal  in  the 
service  of  Masonry,  pointed  him  out  at  o:;ce,  both  to  the  Craft  of  Caro- 
lina aud  to  the  Grand  Master  of  England,  as  the  most  appropriate  per- 
son to  supply  the  vacancy  In  the  political  and  civil  history  of  South 
Carolina,  the  name  of  Benjamin  Smith  stands  deservedly  high.  He 
was,  at  the  time  of  his  appointment  as  Provincial  Grand  Master,  Speaker 
of  the  Commons  House  of  Assembly,  a  distinguished  position,  which 
he  occupied  for  many  years  with  great  honor  to  himself  and  service  to 
the  Colony.*     He  died  in  the  year  1770. 

In    1701   the  General  Communication  was  holdcn    on  the  27th  of 


*  The  Journals  of  the  duy  inform  us  that  in  1756,  Mr.  Smith,  as  Speaker, 
received  great  applause  tor  this,  that  formerly  Speakers  presented  bills  to  the  Gov- 
ernor with  this  formula  :  "  I  present  to  your  Excellency  an  engrossed  bill,  en- 
titled an  Act," —  but  he  added  these  material  words — "  passed  in  the  Commons 
House  of  Assembly."  It  was  an  assertion,  for  the  first  time,  of  the  peculiar  pre- 
rogative of  the  Asxniblv  as  the  law-making  estate  of  the  Colony,  and  in  direct 
denial  of  any  assumption  of  such  prerogative  by  the  Governor  and  his  Council. 


38  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

December,  at  the  Tavern  of  John  Gordon.*  There  was  the  usml 
banquet,  but  I  can  find  no  notice  of  a  public  procession  or  sermon.  At 
this  Communication  the  following  Provincial  Grand  Officers  are  men- 
tioned : 

Hon.  Benjamin  Smith,  Provincial  Grand  Master  ; 
Hon.  Egerton  Leigh,  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master; 
Mr.  Win.  Henderson,  Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Mr.  William  Burrows,  Provincial  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 
Robert  Wells,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary. 

In  1762  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  assembled  at  9  o'clock,  on  the 
27th  of  December,  at  Mr.  Dillon's,  who  was  the  successor  of  Gordon, 
and  occupied  the  same  Tavern.  There  was  a  banquet,  but  there  is  no 
notice  of  a  public  demonstration.  There  was  no  change  in  the  princi- 
pal Grand  Officers. 

In  1703,  a  summons  to  attend  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  June, 
informs  us  that  there  were  then  six  "  regular  constituted  Lodges  under 
the  Provincial  jurisdiction."  By  reference  to  the  registry  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  for  that  year,  it  will  be  found  that  in  1763,  a  war- 
rant was  granted  for  "St  Mark's  Lodge  in  Carolina."  The  date  of 
this  warrant,  in  one  of  the  registries  in  my  possession,  is  8th  February, 
1763. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  in  1763  by 
a  public  procession  and  a  sermon  at  St.  Philip's  Church,  but  the  name 
of  the  Grand  Chaplain  is  not  given. 

In  1764,  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  by 
the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  the  usual  manner.  There  was  a  pro- 
cession to  St.  Philip's  Church,  "  where  an  excellent  discourse,  suitable 
to  the  occasion,  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Charles  Marty n,  Hector 
of  St.  Andrew's."  The  account  in  the  Gazette  goes  on  to  say  :f  "  The 
members  present,  being  in  number  about  120,  among  whom  were  the 
ft.  W.  Benjamin  Smith,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand  Master,  the  Honorable 
William  Bull,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  this  Province,  Bight  Hon- 
orable Lord  Adam  Gordon,  and  many  other  gentlemen  of  distinction, 
dined  aud  passed  the  evening  together,  with  that  general  satisfaction 
so  conspicuous  in  the  assemblies  of  the  ancient  fraternity." 


*  This  was  the  same  house  at  the  North-east  corner  of  Broad  and  Church 
streets,  which  had  been  formerly  occupied  as  a  Tavern  by  Shepheard. 
+  South  Carolina  Gazette.  31st  December,  1764. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  39 

In  1765  there  was  tlie  usual  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St.  John 
the  Evangelist.  The  General  Communication  took  place  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  the  Craft,  to  tic  number  of  160,  (being  an  increase  of  forty 
since  the  la^t  year.)  w  Iked  in  procession  to  St.  Michael's  Church, 
where  <l  an  excellent  discourse,  suitable  to  the  occasion,"  was  delivered 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Hart,  assistant  minister  of  St.  Michael's;  aud 
an  elegant  entertainment  was  provide]  in  the  afternoon. 

Y.cw  amin  Smith  was  still  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  Egertou 
Leigh  his  Deputy,  and  Robert  Veils,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary.  Of 
the  other  Grand  0  dicers  I  can  find  no  record. 

The  celebration  of  St.  John's  day  in  17(56  was  in  the  usual  manner. 
There  was  a  procession  to  St  Phil  p's  Church,  a  sermon  by  the  Rev. 
Bro.  John  Tonge,  "  upon  philanthropy  and  universal  benevolence,  with 
a  particuhr  address  to  the  Society,"  and  afterwards  a  banquet.  The 
summons  to  attend  the  Communication  mentions  seven  regular  Lodges 
as  being  under  the  jurisdiction.  The  regulations  of  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  seem  now  to  have  piovidcd  for  the  admission  of  proxies  of 
the  Masters  and  Wardens,  a  species  of  delegates  who  continued  to  be 
recognized  in  the  Masonic  legislation  of  South  Carolina  until  happily 
abolished  in  1858.  The  summons  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1766 
requires  the  attendance  of  the  Masters  aud  Wardens  of  the  seven 
Lodges,  "or  their  deputies." 

There  were  at  this  time  four  regular  Lodges  in  Charleston,  viz  : 

Solomon's  Lodge,  George  Sliced  Master ; 
Master's  Lodge,  Wm.  Gibbs  Master; 
Marine  Lodge,  Bernard  Beekman   Master,  and 
Union  Kilwinning  Lodge,  John  Deas  Master. 

Of  these  the  Marine  Lodge  was  a  new  one,  having  been  constituted 
only  five  days  before.  Of  the  double  warrants  of  L'uion  Lodge  I  have 
already  spoken.  We  learn,  however,  from  a  notice  in  Timothy's 
Gazette  of  that  date,  that  it  united  with  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 
iu  the  celebration  of  the  day,  and  as  Mr.  John  Deas,  its  Master, 
was  subsequently  elected  Provincial  Grand  Master,  it  must  have 
considered  itself,  and  been  considered  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge, 
as  a  constituent  of  that  body.  These  four  Lodges,  with  those  at 
Beaufort,  Georgetown  and  Dorchester,  would  exactly  make  the  number 
ot  seven  Lodges  alluded  to  iu  the  summons,  to  which  I  have  already 
referred. 

An  intention  to  remove  from  the  Proviucc,  aud  perhaps  his  physical 


40  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

infinities,  for  he  died  in  less  than  three  years  afterwards,  induced  Mr. 
Smith  to  give  notice  of  his  intended  resignation  of  the  office  of  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master,  and  he  accordingly  did  so  at  the  Aunual 
Festival  in  17(37. 

The  account  of  the  celebration  of  that  Festival  is  so  full  and 
interesting  in  the  Gazette  of  the  1st  of  January  following,  that  1  do 
not  hesitate  to  copy  it : 

"The  Ancient  Society  of  Freemasons  celebrated  their  Anniversary 
On  Monday  last,  the  28th  ult.,  [December,  1767,]  the  Feast  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist  falling  on  Sunday.  In  the  morning  they  assem- 
bled in  the  Lodge  room,  agreeable  to  notice  given  in  this  Gazette,  and 
went  in  procession  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where  the  Rev.  Mr  Samuel 
Hart,  one  of  the  Society,  delivered  a  most  excellent  discourse,  on  Unity, 
Brotherly  Love  and  Universal  Benevolence.  After  returning  from 
Church  they  had  a  most  elegant  entertainment,  provided  by  the  Stew- 
ards, and  pissed  the  afternoon  together  with  that  decent  festivity  and 
social  delight  which  those  who  meet  with  a  sincere  desire  of  pleasing 
and  being  pleased  seldom  fail  of,  and  which  have  long  been  among  the 
distinguishing  characteristics  of  every  regular  assembly  of  the  true 
and  faithful  brotherhood,  'ihe  fraternity  being  informed  that  Benja- 
min Smith,  Esq.,  intending  to  leave  the  Province,  had  determined  to 
resign  the  office  ot  Provincial  Grand  Master,  and  that  the  Masters, 
Wardens  and  other  members  of  the  several  Lodges  had  unanimously 
resolved  to  request  the  Honorable  Egerton  Leigh,  Esq.,  to  consent  that 
they  might  petition  his  Grace,  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  Grand  Master  of 
England,  to  appoint  him  to  the  said  office,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Smith, 
all  the  members  then  present,  being  upwards  of  a  hundred  iu  number, 
most  cordially,  and  with  one  voice,  requested  Mr.  Leigh  to  the  purpose 
above-mentioned,  and  he  having  in  a  short  address  to  the  brethren, 
assented  thereto,  was  congratulated  in  the  usual  manner  as  Provincial 
Grand  Master  elect.  The  thanks  of  the  Society  in  general  were  in 
like  manner  unanimously  voted  to  Benjamin  Smith  for  his  many  long 
and  eminent  services  to  the  Craft." 

Crouch's  Journal  or  General  Gazette,  one  of  the  two  pnpers  then 
published  in  Charleston,  says  that  the  Honorable  Egerton  Leigh  pre- 
sided at  that  Communication  as  Provincial  Grand  Master,  with  Win. 
Burrows  as  his  Deputy.  Eight  Lodges  are  reported  as  beiug  at  that 
time  under  the  Provincial   jurisdiction. 

In  1768,  there  were  the  usual  procession,  sermon  and  feast,  a'though 
I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  any  more   definite  particulars.     Eight 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  44 

Lodg-.  s  still  continued  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge. 

In  1769,  the  procession,  sermon  and  feast  again  took  place,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  brethren  walked  in  the  procession.  The  Rev. 
Brother  Thomas  Panting,  who  had  that  year  arrived  from  England  to 
occupy  the  position  of  Head  Master  of  the  Free  School,  preached  the 
sermon. 

This  year  closed  the  Provincial  Grand  Mastership  of  Benjamin 
Smith,  although  it  is  not  known  that  !  e  presided  over  the  Provincial 
Gr.  d  ddge  in  person  since  the  year  1707,  when  he  gave  notice  of 
his  intended  resignation  of  that  distinguished  position. 


42  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   IV. 

THE    PROVINCIAL    GRAND   MASTERSHIP    OF    SIR    EGERTON    LEIGH. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1709,  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  who  was 
then  G-rand  Master  of  Masons  cf  England,  issued  his  patent,  appoint- 
ing the  Honor.-. ble  Kgerton  Leigh  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  l^onth 
Carolina,  in  the  place  of  Benjamin  Smith,  who,  as  we  have  already 
seen,  hi  1  resigned. 

On  the  20th  February,  1770,  there  was  a  Communication  of  the 
Craft  in  Charleston,  on  which  occasion  one  hundred  and  twenty  breth- 
ren are  said  to  have  been  present,  when  the  appointment  was  officially 
made  known,  and  received  with  the  highest  satisfaction.*  The  new 
Provincial  Grand  Master  delivered  a  charge  to  the  brethren,  which  is 
unfortunately  lost.  An  ode,  written  by  one  of  the  brethren,  and  set 
to  music  by  brother  Peter  Valtou,  a  professional  musician  of  the  town, 
was  then  sung,  accompanied  by  instruments.  Of  this  ode,  which, 
alt'iough  not  distinguished  by  its  poetical  merit,  is  still  worthy  of  pre- 
servation as  a  reminiscence  of  the  early  days  of  Masonic  literature  in 
Carolina,  I  have  a  copy  before  me,  and  doubt  not  that  my  readers  will 
be  pleased  to  see  it. 

ODE 

On  the  Installation  of  Ron.  Ejerton  Leiyh,  E<q.,  in  1770,  as  Provin- 
cial Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina. 

Written  by  one  of  the  brethren,  and  set  to  Music  by  Bro.  Peter  Valton. 


While  Pallas  and  Phoebus  in  Grand  Council  sat, 
With  Bacchus  and  Venus;  a  solemn  debate 
About  a  Grand  Master's  appointment  arose, 
Which  had  like  to  have  ended  in  desperate  blows. 

To  fill  tha  high  office  (says  Pallas)  none  's  fit, 
Who  's  void  of  true  wisdom,  of  learning  and  wit; 

*  South  Caroliaa  Gazette,  8th  March,  1770. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  43 

Hence,  then,  all  ye  blockheads,  hence,  straitway  repair, 
Since  none  but  my  vot'ry  shall  sit  in  the  chair. 

Not  so  fast,  (cries  Apollo.)  thou  blue-ey'd  maid! 
To  music's  sweet  pow'rs  let  a  deference  be  paid  : 
Fur  I  swear  that  none  ever  my  vote  will  control 
Who  shall  be  devoid  of  a  musical  soul. 

Hey  day  !  quoth  the  god  of  the  generous  v:nc, 
I  '11  vote  for  none  else  but  a  lover  of  wine; 
For  none  is  e'er  fit  o'er  Masons  to  sway, 
AYhose  heart  is  not  jolly,  blithe,  social  aud  gay. 

Pray  what  (says  Dame  Venus)  can  Masonry  boast, 
Without  a  fair  damsel  t'  afford  thern  a  toast? 
None  shall  the  Grand  .Master's  high  mandates  obey, 
If  he  does  not  acknowledge  my  sovereign  sway. 

"If  you  '11  listen,  (says  Jove,)  I  '11  set  you  all  right: 
"Let  all  your  perfections  in  one  man  unite, 
Him  choose  as  Grand  Master" — They  approve  of  the  plan: 
Then  Beaufort  proclaimed  that  Leigh  was  the  man. 

On  the  27th  of  December,  in  the  same  year,  there  was  a  procession 
in  the  morning  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where  a  sermon  was  delivered, 
and  in  the  afternoon  there  was  the  usual  banquet. 

I  presume  that  there  was  a  similar  celebratiou  in  1771,  although  the 
record  of  it  has  been  lost. 

In  1 77-,  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated 
with  unusual  splendor.  At  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  members  of 
the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  repaired  to  the  house  of  Sir  Kgerton 
Leigh,  for  he  had  lately  received  the  dignity  of  a  Baronet  from  the 
Crown,  where  a  magnificent  collation  was  given,  and  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  was  opened.  At  10  o'clock,  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  with  his 
Grand  Officers,  in  his  coach,  and  the  rest  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
chairs,  proceeded  to  the  Lodge  room  at  llulliday's  Tavern,  where 
Solomon's  Lodge  was  opened.  The  procession,  amounting  in  number 
to  two  hundred,  the  largest  number  that  had  ever  before  appeared  in 
public,  then  moved  to  St.  Philip's  Church,  where  a  diseourse  on 
philanthropy   was  delivered  by   the  Rev.   Bro.    Samuel    Hart.      The 


44:  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

brethren  then  proceeded  to  Pike's  new  room  in  Church  street,*  where 
an  ode,  written  by  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  was  sung.  After  this  the  brethren 
returned  to  Holiday's,  where  one  hundred  and  forty-four  sat  down  to 
the  feast,  and  the  rest  of  the  day  was  «peut  in  the  usual  harmony. -j- 

As  a  reminiscence  of  the  past,  I  am  happy  that  I  am  able  to  preserve 
the  ode  sung  uu  that  occasion. 

ODE 

Performed  he/ore,  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  on 
the  Festival  of    St.  John  the  Eoa/ijefist,  in  1770. 

Written  by  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart.,  Provincial  Grand  Master. 

RECITATIVE. 

Behuld  the  social  band  appears, 
Imparting  joy,  dispelling  fears! 
And  w.ik'd  by  duty  and  by  choice, 
ComiUvud  the  Sons  of  Freedom  to  rejoice. 

SONG. 

Boast  not  Monarch's  human  skill, 

If  the  sculpt ur'd  dome  you  raise; 
Works  of  art  by  fancy's  will, 

Lead  us  oft  t! trough  folly's  maze. 

What  if  Phidias'  chisel  guide, 

What  if  Titian's  pencil  grace; 
Marble  flatteis  but  our  pride, 

13aue  of  all  the  human  race. 

RECITATIVE. 

'T  is  fr.mi  the  watchful  culture  of  the  mind, 
A  well  directed  soul,  a  sense  refin'd, 
That  heavenly  virtues  spring  to  grace  the  man ; 
Tl  is  be  our  noblest  conflict  and  our  plan. 

*  Pike's  new  room  afterwards  became  the  New  Theatre.  It  was  situated  on 
the  west  sid'v  of  Church  street,  about  three  doors  south  of  St.  Michael's  Alley. 
About  25  or  3ll  years  ago  it  was  known  as  Sollce's  Long  room.  It  has  been  since 
destro\ed,  and  the  site  is  now  occupied  by  a  warehouse.  I  remember  meeting 
there  in  18'i3  as  one  of  the  members  of  the  "Friendship  Literary  Society,"  a 
juvenile  debating  club. 

f  Powell's  General  Gazette,  29th  December,  1772,  No.  1932. 

r 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  45 


AIR. 


Let  the  diamond's  lustre  blaze, 

Call  its  water  bright  and  clear, 
But  confess  the  greater  praise 

Rests  on  pity's  gentle  tear. 
May  the  social  virtues  bind, 

Tune  each  sympathetic  heart, 
Raise  the  feeble,  lead  the  blind, 

Wipe  the  tear  that  swells  to  start. 

RECITATIVE. 

Ye  blessed  ministers  above, 
Who  guard  the  Good  with  purest   hive, 
Pr-pitious  hear  the  notes  of  praise, 
While  Britaiu's  sons  their  voices  raise. 

AIR. 

Blessings  await  this  western  land, 
Blessings  o'erfluw  with  liberal  hand; 
Commerce  uprears  our  infant  State, 
And  golden  currents  make  us  gvcat ; 
Fair  Science  lifts  her  hea  I  and  cries, 
"I  come  to  make  you  good  and  wise." 
These  be  the  glories  of  each  day, 
Marking  our  monarch's  gentle  sway. 

RECITATIVE. 

Our  social  band,  by  lo  e  and  honor  join'd, 
Unite  their  zeal  as  friends  to  human  kind; 
The  mystic  sense  is  out,  the  sign  does  move, 
Behold  the  sign  ! — Peace,  Harmony  and  Love. 

DUETTO. 

Let  the  day  be  ever  prais'd, 
When  the  Royal  Ckaft  was  raised  : 
Let  the  social  virtues  shine, 
Doing  good  is  sure  divine. 


40  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

CHORUS. 

Give  the  heroes  all  their  due, 
Twine  their  brows  with  laurels  too; 
But  shall  we  no  laurels  find, . 
For  our  love  to  human  kind  ? 
Let  the  social  virtues  shine, 
Doing  good  is  sure  divine. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that-  the  Annual  Communications,  and 
probably  the  Quarterly  also,  of  «he  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  were  cou- 
tinued  during  the  years  1773,  177+  and  1775.  The  Province  was, 
however,  much  agitated  during  that  period  by  the  convulsions  of  the 
political  crisis,  which  terminated  in  1776  in  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence of  the  thirteen  Colonies,  and  which  gave  birth  to  a  new 
empire  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  The  papers  of  that  time, 
never  abundant  in  local  news,  are  occupied  almost  entirely  with  the 
discussion  of  the  important  matters  wi  ich  then  engaged  the  public 
mind.  The  only  tiles  of  the  Gazette  which  now  exist,  an  J  which  have 
already  supplied  me  with  much  information,  are  deficient  in  a  few 
numbers  during  those  years,  an  J  those  unfortunately  of  the  very  dates 
in  which  the  notices  of  the  Annual  Communications  might  have  been 
looked  for.  I  am  thus  unable  to  give  any  account  of  the  progress  of 
the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  during  those  yoars.  Dalcho,  however, 
who,  when  he  compiled  his  Ahiman  Rezon,  had  access  to  the  archives, 
which  have  since  b:en  lost  or  destroyed,  does  not  refer  to  an  suspen- 
sion of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  at  y  time  from  1754  until  the  end  of  the 
Revolution,  and  subsequent  transactions,  which  we  find  recorded  in  the 
following  years,  lead  me  to  conclude,  without  any  hesitation,  that  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge  continued  to  hold  its  usual  sessions. 

Freemasonry  during  this  period  was  assiduously  cultivated  by  the 
Subordinate  Lodges,  and  there  are  several  notices  in  reference  to  the 
Order  scattered  through  the  columns  of  the  Caroliua  and  the  General 
Gazette,  the  two  newspapers  then  printed  at  Charleston. 

On  the  11th  of  May,  1774,  a  benefit  was  given  by  the  American 
Company  of  Comedians  at  the  New  Play  House,  in  Church  street,  to 
the  Charity  fund  of  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge.  As  the  advertisement 
announcing  this  benefit  is  a  curiosity  of  some  interest  to  the  Masons  of 
the  present  day,  I  am  gratified  in  being  able  to  give  nearly  an  exact 
copy  of  it.* 

*  It  is  contained  in  the  General  Gazette,  April.  1774. 


iN  SOUTH   CAROLINA.  4: 

The  LAST   TIME,  but  one,  of  Performing  this  Seafon. 

By  PERMISSION  of 
His  Honour  the  Lieutenant -Govern  our. 

For  th'e  BENEFIT  of 
The    CHARITY  FUND  of    The   Union-Kilwinning    Lodge, 
appropriated  to  the  Reluf  ,>f  At.l  the  Members  0/  the  Society   of 
Free  Masons,  their  Wives,  Widovis,   Children  and  Orphans,  when 
in  Distrefs; 


AT    THE    NEW    THEATRE, 
On  WEDNESDAY  next,  May  nth,  1774. 

I>y  The  Amkrican  Company, 
Will  be  Prefented,  The  TRAG  \i  DY  of 

C    A    T    0  ; 

Never  Performed  There  : 

Colo,  by  Mr.  Douglafs, 

Sempronius,  by  Mr.  Ha  bam, 

'Portius,  by  Mr.  Henry, 
Marcus,  by  Mr.  Goodman, 
Jnbn,  by  Mr.  Hughes, 
Syphaz,  by  Mr.  Morris, 
Lucius,  by  Mr.  Dermot, 
Die ius,  by  Mr.   Woods, 
Lucia,  by  Mifs  Storer, 
Marcia,  by  31  rs.  Morris. 

An  OCCASIONAL  PROL03UE  to  be  fpoken  by  Mr.  Halltm; 

An  EULOGIUM  on  MASON ItY,  to  be  fpoken  as  An  EPILOGUE, 

by  Mr.  Goodman  ; 

The  MASON's  ANTHEM  by  Mr.  Woo/Is,  &o. 

To  which  Will  be  added, 
A  Comedy  of  Two  Acts,  called 

THE    REPRISAL, 

Or,  The  Tars  of  Old  England; 

Never  Performed  There. 

Litut.  O1 Clabber,  (with  a  Song)  by  Mr.  Henry, 

Eufign  Muclaymore,  by  Mr.  Douglafs, 

Lieut.  Lyon,  by  Mr.  Goodman, 


48  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Capt.   Champignon,  by  Mr.  Robert's, 

Block,  a  Drunken  Sailor,  by  Mr.  Ilallam, 

Heai-fhy.  by  Mr.  Davies, 

Brufh,  by  Mr.  Hughes, 

IJnUyard,  (with   ■<  Hearts  of  Oak,")  by  Mr.   Woolls. 

Harriet,  (with  a  Song  in  Character)  by  Mi  s  Storer. 

To  conclude  with  "Rule    Britannia!"  &c. 

At  the  End  of  Act  I.  A  NEW  MASON'S  SONG  with  a  Chorus. 

Boxes,  3»b.     Pit,  2.">s      Gallery  20s. 
NO   MONEY  will  be  taken  at  the  Doors,  nor  any  perfon  admitted 
without  TICKETS,  which  are  fold  at  Mr    Wells's,  the  Great  Sta- 
tionary aud    Book    Store,   and    by  Mr.  John    Calvlrt,  in    Church 
ftreet. 

PLACES  in  the  Boxes  to  be  had  of  Mr.  John  Calvert. 

The  DOORS  will  be  open  at  Five,  and  the  Play  begin  precifely  at  a 

Quarter  pal't  Six  o'clock. 

From  contemporary  documents  we  learn  that  this  New  Theatre  was 
at  that  time  the  property  of  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge.  On  the  1st  of 
July,  1774,  there  is  an  account  of  the  performance  of  the  tragedy  of 
Cato,  by  the  pupils  of  Mr.  Janes  Thompson,  which  took  p  ace  in  the 
new  play  house  before  a  larire  audie  ce ;  and  it  is  added  that  '•  the 
members  of  the  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  were  happy  in  having  an 
opportunity  of  obliging  the  young  gentle. nen  aud  their  friends,  as  well 
as  the  public  in  general,  ty  accommodating  them  with  the  use  of  the 
theatre  on  the  occasion." 

On  the  15th  of  July,  in  the  same  year,  the  following  advertisement 
appeared,  signed  by  K<  bert  Wells,  whether  in  his  capacity  as  Grand 
Seeretary,  or  more  prob.  b!y  as  a  Broker,  which  was  the  business  he 
seems  to  have  pursued,  I  am  unable  to  say  : 

"The  New  Play  House  in  Church  street,  during  the  absence  of  the 
America  Company  from  tl,  8  Province,  is  to  be  let  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Charity  fund  of  the  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge,  and  as  it  is  now 
entirely  vacant,  any  person  desiring  to  rent  the  same  for  one  or  two 
years,  m  y  apply  for  further  paiticulars  to 

ROBERT  WELLS." 

Subsequently,  in  1782,  a  large  fire  occurred  in  the  city,  and  among 
the  buildings  destroyed  was  this  New  Play  House.  On  the  2Ulh  A 
May,  iu  that  year,  the  following  advertisement  appeared  : 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  49 

"To  the  Public. 

"The  members  of  the  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge,  since  the  burning 
of  the  Play  House  and  the  adjacent  dancing  Assembly  Room,  having 
been  solicited  to  build  upon  their  lot  where  the  play  house  stood  a  suit 
of  Public  Rooms;  give  notice  that,  in  consequence  of  such  request, 
they  intend  erecting  upon  the  foundation  of  the  late  theatre  such*  a 
suit  of  rooms  properly  calculated  for  the  reception  and  accommodation 
of  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  as  well  as  for  the  use  of  any  public  societies 
that  may  think  proper  to  frequent  them. 

"Any  person  inclinable  to  undertake  to  build  the  same,  is  desired  to 
give  in  his  proposals  (with  estimates)  to  the  subscriber,  at  No.  33 
Trade!  st.;  and  where  the  ground  plan  and  elevation  of  said  intended 
building  may  be  seen.  JOHN  TROUP." 

This  notice  leaves  us  in  no  doubt  that  the  ownership  of  the  Theatre 
was  vested  in  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge,  although  I  am  unable  to 
discover  why  its  funds  were  thus  invested.  The  proposal  was  carried 
out,  aud  on  the  site  of  the  Play  House  was  erected  the  building  known 
until  about  thirty  years  ago  as  Sollee's  Concert  Hall. 

Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  dissatisfied  with  the  political  principles  of  the 
Province,  which  were  fast  verging  on  to  that  consummation  which  was 
two  years  afterwards  effected  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  thirteen 
Colonies  from  the  yoke  of  the  British  Government,  departed  perma- 
nently for  England,  with  all  his  family,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1774. 
He  did  not  leave  a  favorable  character  behind  him.  He  had  filled, 
since  he  had  arrived  in  Carolina,  in  1753,  the  offices  of  Attorney 
General,  Surveyor  General,  member  of  the  Council,  and  in  the  year  of 
his  departure  President  of  the  Upper  House  of  Assembly.  He  was, 
however,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  and  the  recipient  of  favors  of  great 
value  and  distinction  from  the  Crown.  It  was  natural  therefore  that, 
in  the  great  quarrel  which  then  existed  between  the  Colonies  and  the 
Mother  Country,  he  should  take  the  part  of  the  latter.  His  enemies 
would  as  naturally  extenuate  his  virtues  and  exaggerate  his  faults. 
There  must,  however,  have  been  something  wrong  about  him  to  induce 
Garden  to  have  written  of  him  words  like  these  :  "  The  character  of 
Sir  Egerton  Leigh  is  so  well  known  in  Carolina  that  it  is  sufficient  to 
establish  the  infamy  of  a  Court  to  say  that  he  presided  at  it."  With 
every  grain  of  allowance  granted  that  should  be  given  to  the  expression 
of  the  opiniou  of  political  foes,  we  still  feel  that  the  ermine  which  he 
wore  could  not  have  been  altogether  pure. 
I 


50  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

In  leaving  the  Province,  Sir  Egerton,  buoyed  up  perhaps  with  the 
prospect  that  he  would  again  return  after  the  subjugation  of  the  rebel- 
lious Colony,  did  not  resign  his  office  as  Provincial  Grand  Master. 
He  died,  however,  in  England,  in  the  year  1781. 

The  records  of  the  Annual  Communication  in  1775  are  lost.  After 
the  strictest  search  among  the  Gazettes  of  that  year,  I  can  find  no 
Masonic  notices  whatever. 

In  1776,  John  Wells,  Jr.,  who  still  continued  to  act  pro  tempore  as 
Grand  Secretary,  summoned  the  Society  to  meet,  not  by  order  of  the 
Grand  Master,  but  by  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  No  attempt  had  yet 
been  made  to  supply  the  place  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  and  as  he  had 
not  resigned,  he  was  still,  in  all  probability,  considered  as  the  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master.  In  that  year,  the  Annual  Festival  was  cele- 
brated at  Poinsett's  Tavern.  There  was  a  banquet,  but  no  procession 
and  no  sermon. 

In  1777,  the  want  of  a  Provincial  Grand  Master  began  to  be  felt, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  at  a  previous  Quarterly  Communication  having 
elected  the  Hon.  Barnard  Elliott,  at  the  Annual  Communication  of 
that  year  he  was  duly  installed  as  "Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  this 
State."  This  is  the  first  time  that  the  word  "State"  is  used  in  place 
of  that  of  "Province,"  which  had  formerly  been  employed.  The 
political  independence  of  the  country,  which  only  six  months  before  had 
been  declared  at  Philadelphia,  was  already  beginning  to  produce  its 
effect  on  the  Masonic  Society.  The  title  of  "Provincial  Grand 
Lodge"  does  not  afterwards  appear  to  have  been  applied  to  the  body, 
except  during  the  year  that  Charleston  was  again  subject,  after  its 
reduction,  to  the  authority  of  the  British  Crown.  These  circum- 
stances, and  the  fact  that  the  Grand  Lodge  ignored  the  claim  of  Sir 
Egerton  Leigh  to  be  still  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  as  recognized 
by  his  superior,  the  Grand  Master  of  England,  lead  me  irresistibly  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  existence  of  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  is  to  be  dated  from  the  year  1777.  In  this  year  there 
was  no  procession  and  no  discourse,  but  a  banquet,  at  which  nearly  one 
hundred  brethren  were  present. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  51 


CHAPTER    V. 

FORMATION  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT  GRAND  LODGE  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Thus  was  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina  established  in  the  year  1777, 
not  by  a  dissolution  of  the  old  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  and  the 
organization  by  new  Lodges  of  a  superintending  power,  but  by  a 
simple  resolution  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  to  throw  off  its  Pro- 
vincial and  subordinate  character,  by  a  refusal  to  recognize  any  longer 
the  authority  of  the  Deputation  which  had  been  granted  to  Sir 
Egerton  Leigh  by  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  when  the  latter  was  the 
presiding  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  by  the  election 
of  a  Grand  Master  who  was  installed  as  "the  Grand  Master  of  Masons 
of  the  State."  Webb,  Moore,  Mitchell,  and  every  other  writer  who 
have  said  anything  of  the  history  of  Masonry  in  South  Carolina,  have 
placed  the  date  of  the  establishment  of  a  Grand  Lodge  in  that  State 
in  the  year  1787.  It  will  be  seen  hereafter  that  all  these  writers, 
following  Dalcho,  who  ought  to  have  known  better,  have  committed  an 
egregious  error.  The  Grand  Lodge  established  in  1787,  of  which  I 
shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to  speak,  was  an  irregular  body,  deriving 
its  authority  from  Lodges  constituted  through  the  Dermott  or  Athol 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  now  universally  acknowledged  to  have  been 
spurious,  or  in  the  technical  lauguage  of  the  institution,  clandestine. 
The  true  date  of  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  was  the  year  1777,  and  its  first  Grand  Master  was  Barnard 
Elliott. 

The  record  of  the  Annual  Communication  of  St.  John  the  Evan- 
gelist's day,  in  the  year  1778,  is  wanting,  but  I  find  that  a  Quarterly 
Communication  was  holden  in  that  year  at  Brother  Holliday's  Tavern, 
on  East  Bay,  on  the  25th  of  February. 

In  this  year,  a  destructive  fire  occurred  in  Charleston,  at  which  it 
appears,  from  an  advertisement  in  the  daily  papers,  that  the  "  Alphabets 
of  the  Ledger  and  Register  of  Solomon's  Lodge"  were  lost,  and  a 
reward  of  five  pounds  was  offered  for  the  recovery  of  either  of  them. 

But  this  same  advertisement  furnishes  us  with  the  singular  informa- 


52  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

tion  that  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1  was  the  owner  of  at  least  two  pews  in 
St.  Michael's  Church.  So  much  of  the  advertisement  as  announces 
this  fact  may  be  interesting  to  the  members  of  that  Lodge. 

"  Taken  out  of  the  pews  belonging  to  the  said  Lodge,  [Solomon's,] 
in  St.  Michael's  Church,  several  prayer  books,  stamped  on  the  outside 
with  gold  letters,  (Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,)  and  the  same  wrote  on 
some  of  them  in  the  inside.  Whoever  has  got  them,  or  can  tell  where 
they  may  be  had,  will  be  amply  rewarded  for  their  trouble  on  giving 
notice  as  above," — that  is,  to  Thomas  Harper. 

In  the  present  day,  it  would  be  difficult,  perhaps  impossible,  to  find 
a  Lodge  in  America  whose  members  were  so  uniform  in  their  religious 
tenets  as  to  authorize  the  Lodge  to  invest  part  of  its  wealth  in  the 
purchase  of  a  pew  in  any  particular  church.  The  same  fire  which 
occasioned  the  loss  of  the  books  of  Solomon's  Lodge  also  destroyed  the 
play  house,  which  was  the  property  of  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge. 

In  October,  1778,  the  Grand  Lodge  met  with  a  loss  in  the  death  of 
its  Grand  Master,  the  Hon.  Barnard  Elliott.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  General  Assembly,  and  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  Continental 
Corps  of  Artillery.  He  is  spoken  of  as  a  charitable  and  humane 
man,  and  a  polite  and  affable  gentleman.  He  was  followed  to  the 
grave  by  the  Fraternity  over  whom  he  had  presided  for  unfortunately 
only  a  year  and  ten  months. 

The  pressure  of  political  troubles,  the  anxieties  and  dangers  which 
surrounded  the  attempt  of  this  infant  nation  to  assume  its  birth-right 
as  a  free  and  independent  people,  must  have  had  some  influence  in 
impairing  the  prosperity  of  the  Order,  and  in  preventing  the  regularity 
of  its  meetings.  After  the  most  diligent  search,  I  have  been  unable 
to  find  any  record  of  the  election  of  a  successor  to  Elliott  in  1778,  or 
of  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  that  year,  or  in  1779  and 
1780. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  1780,  the  city  of  Charleston  was,  after  a 
vigorous  siege,  compelled  to  yield  to  the  British  forces,  and  the  city 
remained  in  possession  of  the  enemy  until  the  14th  of  December, 
1782,  when  it  was  evacuated.  It  seems,  as  one  of  the  results  of  the 
capitulation  was  to  reduce  the  State  once  more  to  the  condition  of  a 
conquered  Province,  that  those  Masons  who  took  part  in  the  business 
of  the  Society,  the  majority  of  whom  must  have  been  loyalists, 
resolved  entirely  to  ignore  the  proceedings  by  which  an  independent 
Grand  Lodge  had  been  established  in  1777,  and  to  revive  the  existence 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  53 

of  the  Provincial  body.  Accordingly  the  followiug  notice,  unaccom- 
panied by  any  signature,  appeared  in  the  Royal  Gazette  on  the  21st  of 
November,  1781 : 

"The  office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master  being  vacated  by  the  death 
of  the  Honorable  Sir  Egertou  Leigh,  Baronet,  the  Masters  and  War- 
dens of  the  several  regular  constituted  Lodges  throughout  the  Province 
are  requested  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Brother  James  Strickland,  in 
Charleston,  on  Saturday,  the  1st  of  December  next,  at  G  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  to  consider  of  a  fit  and  proper  brother  to  fill  that  high  and 
important  station,  and  of  other  matters  of  the  greatest  importance  to 
the  Craft." 

This  meeting  was  probably  holden,  and  the  proper  person  agreed 
upon.  For  the  Anniversary  Communication  took  place  on  the  27th  of 
Pecember,  1781,  when  John  Deas  was  unanimously  elected  Provincial 
Grand  Master,  in  the  place  of  the  late  Sir  Egerton  Leigh.  The 
meeting  on  that  occasion  must,  from  obvious  reasons,  have  been  small, 
for  at  the  dinner,  which  subserviently  took  place,  only  sixty  brethren 
sat  down  to  table.  John  Wells,  who  had  heretofore  been  acting  only 
temporarily  as  Grand  Secretary,  was  elected  to  that  office  at  the 
previous  Quarterly  Communication,  and  his  name  is  so  signed  to  the 
public  notice  of  the  approaching  Anniversary,  which  notice  was  pub- 
lished on  the  5th  of  December. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  account  of  the  Annual  Communi- 
cation in  17S2.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  however,  that  one  was 
holden,  and  as  John  Wells,  the  Grand  Secretary,  was  a  loyalist,  and 
left  the  city  at  the  time  of  its  evacuation  by  the  British,  the  Grand 
Lodge,  in  all  probability,  at  its  Anniversary  Meeting  in  1782,  elected 
John  Ballantine  as  his  successor,  for  I  find  his  name  subscribed  as 
Grand  Secretary  to  the  Masonic  notices  in  the  year  1783. 

In  1783,  the  Anniversary  Communication  was  celebrated  at  the  City 
Tavern,  iu  Broad  street.  The  Grand  Lodge  had  now  again  assumed 
its  independent  character,  and  in  the  summons  of  the  Grand  Secretary 
it  is  styled,  "  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Most  Ancient  and  Honorable 
Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  and  for  the  State."  On  this 
occasion  there  was  the  usual  dinner,  but  no  procession  to  church,  and 
of  course  no  sermon. 

In  this  year,  the  first  notice  occurs  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons,  a 
distinct  body  not  recognizing  the  authority  of  the  regular  Grand 
Lodge.  In  1783,  their  Lodges  celebrated  the  Festival  of  St.  John 
the  Baptist,  in  Charleston,  and  as  this  schismatic  body  subsequently 


54  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

played  an  important  part  in  the  history  of  Masonry  in  South  Carolina, 
I  suppose  the  reader  will  be  interested  in  reading  a  full  report  of  this 
their  first  public  appearance.  I  quote  it  from  Miller's  Gazette  of  25th 
of  June,  1783. 

"  The  Ancient  York  Mason's  Lodges  of  this  city,  yesterday  cele- 
brated the  Anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Baptist.  The  procession  was 
numerous,  and  the  splendid  appearance  which  the  brethren  made  was 
truly  pleasing  to  the  spectators.  A  most  excellent  sermon,  suitable  to 
the  occasion,  was  preached  before  them  at  St.  Philip's  Church,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Stuart,  after  which  they  dined  together  at  the  Lodge  room, 
in  Lodge  alley.  The  recollection  that  this  meeting  was  one  of  the 
consequences  of  the  blessings  of  peace  did  not  a  little  contribute  to 
the  happiness  of  the  day.  After  dinner  the  following  toasts  were 
given  : 

I.  The  memory  of  the  Holy  St.  John. 

II.  All  worthy  brethren  throughout  the  globe,  wheresoever  dispersed 
and  however  distressed. 

III.  Our  illustrious  brother,  Washington. 

IV.  May  virtue,  benevolence  and  charity  ever  distinguish  the  Craft. 

V.  All  Masons'  widows  and  orphans. 

VI.  The  States  and  the  Craft.* 

VII.  The  Grand  Masters  of  Ancient  Masons  round  the  globe. 

VIII.  May  the  arts  and  sciences  flourish  wherever  Ancient  Masons 
are  known. 

IX.  The  heart  that  conceals, 

And  the  tongue  that  never  reveals. 

X.  All  true  hearted  brethren  who  live  within  compass  and  square- 
XL  To  the  perpetual  honor  of  Freemasons. 

XII.  To  all  the  female  friends  of  Freemasonry. 

XIII.  To  the  increase  of  perpetual  friendship  amongst  the  Ancient 
Craft." 

Of  the  Ancient  York  Masons  I  shall  soon  have  occasion  to  speak 
more  particularly.  Commencing  thus  in  1783,  they  continue  promi- 
nently before  us  in  South  Carolina  until  1817,  and  the  history  of  their 
Grand  Lodge,  which  was  established  in  1787,  must  be  treated  pari 
passu  with  that  of  the  regular  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 

In  1784,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  celebrated 
the   Anniversary  of  St.  John   the  Evangelist  in  an  unusual  manner. 

*  This  was  a  change  of  the  old  Masonic  toast,  "  the  King  and  the  Craft." 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  55 

The  Grand  Lodge,  which  theu  consisted  of  eleven  Lodges,  met  at  9 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  at  the  City  Tavern,  and  the  brethren  then 
"  proceeded  to  his  Worshipful  the  Grand  Master's  house,  No.  67 
Meeting  street,  in  order  to  escort  him  in  due  form  to  the  Lodge  room." 
There  was  a  dinner,  but  no  sermon  nor  other  public  demonstration, 
except  a  procession  from  the  Lodge  room  to  the  residence  of  the  Grand 
Master  and  back  again.  Attention  began  now  to  be  paid  to  the  per- 
gonal appearance  of  the  members,  and  for  the  first  time  we  meet  with 
such  a  notice  as  this  in  the  summons  of  the  Grand  Secretary  : 

"  It  is  requested  and  expected  that  the  brethren  will  provide  them- 
selves with  new  clothing  fit  aud  proper  for  the  occasion." 

Was  this  one  of  the  consequences  of  the  rivalry  now  beginning  to 
spring  up  between  the  two  Masonic  bodies  then  existing  in  the  State  ? 

On  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  in  1785,  there  was  a  procession, 
a  sermon  aud  a  banquet.  As  the  papers  of  the  day  give  a  full  account 
of  this  celebration,  aud  as  we  are  thus  placed  in  possession  of  the 
order  of  procession  which  was  observed  at  that  time,  I  copy  it  in  full 
as  an  important  Masonic  document.* 

"  Tuesday  last  being  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  Most  Ancient  aud  Houorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  and  for  this  State,  with  the  officers  of  the  eleven  Lodges, 
and  a  numerous  company  of  the  brethren,  foreign  and  domestic,  pur- 
suant to  summons,  assembled  at  the  City  Tavern,  and  from  thence,  in 
the  following  order,  proceeded  to  St.  Philip's  Church,  where  an 
excellent  sermon,  suitable  to  the  occasion,  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Robert  Smith,  Pastor  of  that  Church : 

The  Tyler  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  his  sword  drawn. 

Band  of  Music. 

The  Five  Orders. 

The  Bible,  Square  and  Compass. 

Apprentices. 

Fellow  Crafts. 

Master  Masons. 

Secretaries  of  Lodges. 

Treasurers  of  Lodges. 

Junior  Wardens  of  Lodges. 

Senior  Wardens  of  Lodges. 

Masters  of  Lodges. 

*  See  Miller's  Gazette,  29th  December,  1785. 


56  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Past  Masters  of  Lodges. 
Past  Grand  Stewards. 
The  six  present  Grand  Stewards,  with  their  rods  and  jewels. 
Grand  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
Former  Grand  Officers. 
Junior  and  Senior  Grand  Wardens. 
The  Deputy  Grand  Master. 
The  Grand  Master, 
Preceded  by  the  sword  of  state,  borne  by  the  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 
The  procession  closing  with  the  Tylers  of  Lodges  for  Charleston. 
"  After   divine  service,  they  returned  to  the  Lodge  Room,  dined 
together,  in  number  eighty,  and  celebrated  their  thirty-first*  Anniver- 
sary   with    that   innocent   festivity,   sobriety,    decorum,    joy,    peace, 
brotherly  love  and  affection  becoming  their  truly  laudable  profession, 
several  masonical  toasts  being  drank,  many  masouical  songs  sung,  and 
a  concert  of  instrumental  music  being  performed,  the  Lodge  was  in 
due  time  and  form  closed. 

"  The  only  contention  there  seemed  to  be, 
Who  better  should  work  and  who  better  agree." 

Hence  "the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Most  Ancient  and  Honorable 
Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,"  for  this  was  the  title  it  had 
assumed  as  the  lineal  descendant  and  successor  of  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  which  had  been  established  in  the  year  1736,  continued 
regularly  and  uninterruptedly  to  hold  its  meetings,  to  elect  its  officers, 
and  to  perform  its  other  Masonic  duties.  Unfortunately  the  files  of 
the  daily  journals  from  October,  1786,  to  January,  1793,  are  wanting, 
an  "hiatus  valde  defiendus"  having  occurred  in  the  collection  of  the 
Charleston  Library,  the  only  one  in  the  State,  and  from  which  I  have 
already  derived  so  much  interesting  information.  Happily,  however, 
the  period  has  now  arrived  when  we  can  apply  to  other  sources  which 
will  enable  me  to  complete  this  preliminary  sketch. 

In  the  year  1787,  a  circumstance  occurred  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance to  the  fortunes  of  Masonry  in  South  Carolina.  The  Ancient 
York   Masons   in  that  year  organized  a   rival  Grand  Lodge,  which 


*  The  reporter  is  here  evidently  in  error.  By  a  reference  to  the  preamble  of 
the  Act  of  incorporation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1791,  it  will  be  found,  as  what  I 
already  have  shown  will  confirm,  that  the  true  beginning  of  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  1*736.    This,  therefore,  was  its  forty-ninth  Anniversary. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;,- 

succeeded  for  exactly  thirty  years  in  dividing  the  jurisdiction  between 
two  contending  parties,  the  necessary  result  of  which  was  the  intro- 
duction of  discord  and  the  dissolution  of  all  harmony.  But  before  I 
can  undertake  a  history  of  these  important  events,  it  is  necessary,  for 
the  comprehension  of  the  general  reader,  that  a  brief  sketch  should  be 
given  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  schism  from  the  regular  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  which,  passing  over  into  this  country,  produced  its 
unpleasant  effects  in  almost  every  one  of  the  original  thirteen  Colonies. 
But  this  must  be  the  subject  of  another  chapter. 


58  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ORIGIN    OF   THE   ANCIENT   YORK   MASONS   IN    SOUTH    CAROLINA. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  Freemasonry  appears 
to  have  fallen  into  great  neglect  in  England.  The  infirmities  of  Sir 
Christopher  Wren,  who  was  then  the  Grand  Master,  prevented  him 
from  mingling  with  the  Craft,  and  the  Lodges,  says  Anderson,  suffered 
greatly  for  want  of  his  presence,  as  usual,  in  visiting  and  regulating 
their  meetings.  Hence,  they  were  reduced  to  a  very  small  number, 
and  the  zeal  of  the  members  was  greatly  diminished.  This  was  in  the 
South  of  England.  In  the  North,  there  was,  it  is  true,  a  Grand 
Lodge  at  York,  which  claimed  to  date  its  existence  from  the  General 
Assembly,  held  by  Prince  Edwin,  in  926,  in  that  city.  But  the  very 
meagre  accounts  that  we  possess  of  the  transactions  of  that  Grand 
Lodge,  do  not  lead  us  to  believe  that  Freemasonry  was  in  a  better  con- 
dition in  York  than  it  was  in  London. 

In  the  year  1717,  what  is  commonly  called  the  revival  in  Masonry 
took  place.  Four  Lodges,  perhaps  the  only  ones  at  that  time  in 
London,  met  at  the  Apple-tree  Tavern,  and  having  put  the  oldest 
Master  Mason,  being  the  Master  of  a  Lodge,  in  the  chair,  then 
organized  the- Grand  Lodge  of  England,  which  at  once  assumed  the 
control  of  the  institution  in  the  South,  at  least,  of  England,  without 
interfering  with  the  anterior  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York 
in  the  Northern  counties. 

Among  the  first  enactments  of  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  was  one 
prescribing  the  mode  in  which  new  Lodges  should  thereafter  be 
organized.  Up  to  that  time  a  sufficient  number  of  Masons  having 
met  together  in  any  district,  were  authorized,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Sheriff  or  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  place,  to  open  a  Lodge,  to  make 
Masons,  and  to  practice  all  the  rites  of  Masonry.  But  the  Grand  Lodge 
now  annulled  that  power  of  self-constitution,  and  decreed  "that  every 
Lodge  to  be  hereafter  convened  should  be  legally  authoiized  to  act  by 
a  warrant  from  the  Grand  Master  for  the  time  being,  granted  to 
certain  individuals  by  petition,  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  in  communication;  and  that  without  such  warrant 
no  Lodge  should  be  hereafter  deemed  regular  or  constitutional."* 

*  Preston's  Illustrations,  p.  182,  Oliver's  edition. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  59 

It  is  evident  that  the  first  effect  of  such  a  decree  was  to  give  to  all 
the  Masons,  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  one 
head.  Accordingly,  the  Grand  Lodge  at  London  assumed  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Southern  part  of  the  island,  under  the  title  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Northern  part  being 
retained  by  the  old  Grand  Lodge  at  York,  which  was  designated  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  all  England* 

As  early  as  the  year  1738,  certain  brethren  became  dissatisfied  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  in  consequence  of  some  changes  which 
it  had  thought  proper  to  make  in  the  ritual,  and  separating  themselves 
from  its  regular  Lodges,  began  to  hold  meetings  and  to  make  Masons, 
contrary  to  the  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  As,  a  short  time 
previously,  the  Grand  Lodge  at  London  had  most  improperly  encroached 
upon  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  York,  an  unpleasant  and 
unfraternal  feeling  arose  between  these  two  bodies,  and  the  recusant 
Masons  taking  advantage  of  this  condition  of  things,  assumed  at  their 
meetings  the  name  of  York  Masons,  doubtless  anticipating  thereby 
their  favorable  recognition  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York. 

These  irregularities  were  at  times  checked  and  punished,  and  again 
renewed,  until  at  last,  about  the  year  1755,  the  seceding  brethren 
assumed  independence,  and  organized  a  Grand  Lodge  of  their  own.f 
To  distinguish  themselves  from  the  regular  Grand  Lodge,  which  had 
been  established  in  1717,  they  called  their  own  body  the  "  Ancient 
Grand  Lodge,"  while  they  invidiously  styled  that  of  their  opponents 
the  "Modern  Grand  Lodge." 

*  Preston's  Illustrations,  p.  190,  Oliver's  edition. 

f  The  carelessness  with  which  Masonic  history  was  written  in  the  last  century 
creates  some  doubt  as  to  the  exact  date  of  the  organization  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 
Thus  Preston,  (at  p.  212,)  writing  under  the  date  of  1739,  says,  "they  instituted 
a  new  Grand  Lodge  in  London,  professedly  on  the  Ancient  system,"  and  yet,  (at 
p.  358,)  he  says  that  "  the  Ancients,  after  their  secession,  continued  to  hold  their 
meetings  without  acknowledging  a  superior,  till  1772."  Their  own  Ahinian 
Rezon,  of  which  I  possess  three  editions,  gives  hardly  any  reference  to  dates,  and 
contains  no  list  of  their  Grand  Officers  or  Annual  elections.  Thory  (Acta 
Latent,  I.,  276,)  gives  a  chronological  list  of  their  Grand  Masters,  by  which  it 
appears  that  the  Earl  of  Blessington  was  elected  Grand  Master  in  1757,  the  Earl 
of  Kelly  in  1701,  and  the  Duke  of  Athol  in  1772.  In  1755,  the  first  formal 
notice  of  the  schismatic  body  is  taken  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and, 
according  to  the  intimations  of  Oliver,  (for  I  can  nowhere  find  an  exact  state- 
ment of  the  precise  date,)  the  Ancients  must  have  established  their  Grand  Lodge 
about  1758-1765.     The  schism,  however,  began  in  1739. 


IgQ  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Preston,  who  has  given  a  fuller  account  of  this  schism  than  any 
other  writer,  says  that  the  seceding  Masons  "propagated  an  opinion 
that  the  ancient  tenets  and  practices  of  Masonry  were  preserved  hy 
them :  and  that  the  regular  Lodges,  heing  composed  of  modern 
Masons,  had  adopted  new  plans,  and  were  not  to  be  considered  as 
acting  under  the  old  establishment."* 

Preston  here  candidly  admits  that  the  " Moderns"  were  charged  by 
the  "Ancients"  with  a  defection  from  the  ancient  landmarks,  and  we 
have  reasons  for  believing  that  this  defection  consisted  in  a  change  in 
certain  important  parts  of  the  ritual.  Dermott,  who  was  one  of  the 
leaders  of  the  Ancients,  says  that  the  innovation  was  made  in  the 
reign  of  King  George  the  first.  That  a  change  was  actually  made  is 
now  universally  admitted,  and  opposition  to  this  change  was  assigned, 
by  the  Ancient  Masons,  (as  they  called  themselves,)  as  a  reason  for  the 
conduct  of  the  irregular  Masons,  who,  in  1738,  while  still  holding 
their  warrants  from  the  regular  Grand  Lodge,  nevertheless  proceeded  to 
work  according  to  the  ancient  institutions  and  forms,  and  also  eventually, 
for  the  establishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  in 
1755.  Of  this  Grand  Lodge,  Dermott  was  at  one  time  the  Grand 
Secretary,  and  afterwards  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  it  is  no  doubt 
to  his  indefatigable  zeal  that  we  are  to  attribute  the  signal  success  and 
popularity  of  the  schismatic  body.  He  also  compiled  for  it  a  Book  of 
Constitutions,  which  he  entitled  an  "  Ahiman  Rezon,"  a  name  which 
was  subsequently  given  to  the  Books  of  Constitutions  and  Monitors  of 
all  the  bodies  in  America,  which  directly  or  indirectly  derived  their 
existence  and  authority  from  the  schismatic  body.  The  Duke  of 
Athol  was  elected  its  Grand  Master,  and  retained  the  office  for  many 
years,  being  succeeded  at  his  death  by  his  son.  Hence  this  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancients  is  often  called,  by  way  of  distinction,  the  Athol 
Grand  Lodge,  and  the  persons  initiated  in  Lodges  under  its  jurisdic- 
tion, Athol  Masons.  iVnother  name  which  they  assumed  in  America 
was  that  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  to  indicate  their  claim  to  a  descent, 
not  from  the  Grand  Lodge  at  London,  but  from  the  older  one  at  York, 
a  claim,  however,  to  which  impartial  history  cannot  recognize  their 
exclusive  right. 

Thus  then  we  find  in  the  year  1755  two  Grand  Lodges  at  London, 
the  "Grand  Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons," 
which  was  established  in  1717,  and  now  began  to  be  known  as  the 

*  Preston's  Illustrations,  p.  211. 


IN   SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ,;i 

'•  Moderns,"  and  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  Aucient  Masons,"  which  was 
organized  in  1755  by  seceders  from  the  first  body.* 

In  1772,  the  Duke  of  Athol,  who  was  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Scotland,  was  also  elected  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Ancient  Masons,  and  in  that  year  both  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scot- 
land and  Ireland  entered  into  a  fraternal  correspondence  with  the 
Aucient  Grand  Lodge. 

Lawrief  admits  that  the  Irish  and  Scotch  Masons  favored  the 
Ancients,  and  it  is  confirmatory  of  this  remark  that  in  all  cases  where 
Lodges  were  established  in  America  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland, 
these  Lodges  at  once  assumed  the  name,  and  appear  to  have  pursued 
the  ritual,  of  the  Ancients. 

The  schism  thus  begun  in  England,  in  time  passed  over  into  Ame- 
rica, where  the  Lodges  established  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland, 
or  afterwards  by  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  placed  them- 
selves as  "Ancients,"  in  opposition  to  those  that  derived  their 
authority  from  what  was  the  regular,  but  then  known  as  the  Modern, 
Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

Thus,  in  1752,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  established  a  Lodge  of 
Ancients  in  Massachusetts,  which  for  a  long  time  coutended  with  the 
Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  which  had  been  established  in  that  Colony  in 
17o3  by  the  constitutional  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  In  1753,  the 
Athol  Grand  Lodge,  or,  as  it  was  also  called,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons,  intruded  on  the  jurisdiction  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  eventually  that   Colony  instituted   a   Grand  Lodge  of  Ancients. 

Tu  1781,  it  also  granted  a  warrant  for  the  establishment  of  a  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodge  in  New  York. 

At  what  precise  date  the  Athol  or  Ancient  York  Masons  invaded 
the  Masonic  jurisdiction  of  South  Carolina,  I  am  unable  to  say.  On 
this  subject,  the  deficiency  of  records  leaves  us  entirely  in  the  dark, 
except  with  such  dim  and  uncertain  light  as  is  furnished  by  conjecture. 

*  Dermott,  speaking  in  his  Aliim;in  Rezon  of  what  he  calls  these  "two  great 
communities  now  in  England,"  describee  them  as  follows: 

"The  Ancients,  under  the  name  of  Fire  and  Accepted  Masons.  The  Moderns, 
under  the  name  of  Free  Masons  of  England.  And  though  a  similarity  of  names, 
yet  they  differ  exceedingly  in  makings,  ceremonies,  knowledge,  Masonical  language 
and  installations,  so  much  that  they  have  always  been  and  -till  continue  to  be  two 
distinct  societies,  totally  independent  of  each  Other.'' — AMman  /.'<  on,  i 
177S,  p.  xliii. 

f  History  of  Freemasonry,  p.  116; 


62  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Dalcho  says  that  at  the  termination  of  the  American  Revolution  there 
were  four  Lodges  of  Ancient  York  Masons  in  the  State,  but  he  writes 
with  such  disregard  of  precision  as  to  dates,  and  such  general  latitude 
of  expression,  that  in  any  matter  of  uncertainty  his  authority  cannot 
be  depended  on  as  a  Masonic  historian. 

At  all  events,  we  have  already  learned  that  they  made  their  first 
public  appearance  in  the  State  in  the  year  1783,  when  the  York 
Lodges  celebrated  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist. 

We  also  know  that  in  1787  they  consisted  of  five  Lodges,  namely, 
numbers  38,  40  and  -47,  which  derived  their  warrants  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  itself  a  York  Grand  Lodge,  and  numbers  190 
and  236,  which  had  been  chartered  by  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of 
England. 

Dalcho  states  positively  that  Lodge  No.  236  held  its  warrant  from 
the  legitimate  or  Modern  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  as  he  is 
obliged  to  admit  that  that  Lodge  united  with  the  four  others  in  forming 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons,  he  draws 
from  this  fact  the  conclusion  that  there  must  have  been  a  unity  of 
principles  and  work  between  the  two  parties,  a  singularly  erroneous 
theory,  in  the  belief  of  which  he  has  always  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of 
being  without  a  single  disciple  among  Masonic  historians. 

Now,  there  is  not  in  any  of  his  writings  a  more  pregnant  evidence 
than  this  of  the  carelessness  with  which  he  makes  historical  state- 
ments, and  then  froni  his  gratuitous  premises  deduces  his  equally 
gratuitous  conclusions. 

The  union  of  Lod^e  No.  236  with  the  four  York  Lodges  in  the 
organization  of  a  Grand  Lodge  is  no  evidence  of  any  "unity  of 
principles  and  work"  between  the  Ancients  and  the  Moderns,  simply 
because  Lodge  No.  236  never  derived  its  warrant,  as  he  says,  from  the 
Modern  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  but  was  as  good  and  true  a  York 
Lodge  as  any  of  the  other  four. 

Dalcho's  statement,  made  in  the  historical  appendix  to  the  second 
edition  of  his  "  Ahiman  Eezon,"  has  been  allowed  to  pass  current  for 
an  historical  fact,  simply  because  nobody  ever  undertook  to  investigate 
the  matter. 

In  1809,  during  the  controversy  which  arose  on  account  of  the 
union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  South  Carolina  in  the  preceding 
year,  we  find  a  mere  inkling  of  the  truth.  For  when  the  statement 
was  then  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  in  a  pamphlet 
published  by  its  authority,  and  addressed  to  what  it  called  "the  Seced- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  63 

ing  Masons,"  the  latter  published  an  able  reply,  in  which  they 
designate  this  statement  as  "  a  gross  misrepresentation,"  and  they  thus 
explain  what  they  suppose  to  be  the  true  position  of  Lodge  No.  236  : 

"  Lodge  No.  2,  formerly  No.  236,  was  conducted  by  a  gentleman  of 
high  standing  and  much  respectability,  both  as  a  man  and  Mason,  and 
we  rest  satisfied  that  he  would  never  have  done  an  act  but  what  was 
strictly  honorable.  He  was  originally  a  Modern  Mason,  but  his  situa- 
tion in  life  rendered  it  necessary  he  should  go  to  the  Northward  ;  when 
there  he  attempted  to  visit  some  of  the  Ancient  York  Lodges,  suppos- 
ing them  to  be  of  the  same  fraternity  as  himself.  But  on  trial  he 
fouud  his  mistake,  and  resolved  to  become  an  Ancient  York  Mason. 
Accordingly  he  did,  and  prevailed  on  the  members  of  his  Lodge  to  do 
the  same.     This  we  hold  ourselves  bound  to  prove  if  called  upon." 

Notwithstanding  the  bold  asseveration  with  which  this  statement 
concludes,  it  is  evident  tint  an  explanation  given  in  1809  of  transac- 
tions which  had  occurred  in  1787,  and  which  were  of  such  a  nature  as 
not  to  render  it  at  all  probable  that  the  account  of  them  could  have  been 
transmitted  in  writing,  must  be  mainly  of  a  traditional  character,  and 
subject,  therefore,  to  all  the  errors  to  which  traditions  are  obnoxious. 
It  was,  however,  although  not  the  whole  truth,  yet  an  approximation 
to  it.  While  admitting,  which  they  need  not  have  done  if  they  had 
read  the  proper  documents,  that  Lodge  No.  236  was  once  a  Modern 
Lodge,  they  assert  that  it  had  changed  its  character,  and  in  1787  had 
become  an  Ancient  York  one. 

But  they  do  not  give  any  intimation  that  the  Lodge,  with  the  change 
of  its  principles,  had  also  changed  its  warrant. 

Now  the  facts,  collected  from  various  sources,  after  great  labor,  and 
supported  by  documentary  evidence,  which  is  the  only  sort  of  evidence 
that,  in  such  a  case  as  this,  is  WQrthy  of  attention,  are  these: 

The  statement  in  the  answer  of  the  Seceding  Masons  just  cited, 
informs  us  that  Lodge  No.  236  was  the  same  Lodge  as  No.  2,  and  the 
name  by  which  it  was  known  was  "  Marine  Lodge."  Now  Marine 
Lodge,  as  we  learn  from  a  notice  in  Timothy's  Gazette,  under  date  of 
29th  December,  1766,  was  constituted  on  the  22d  of  the  same  month 
by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  Its  number  is  not 
given,  but  it  must  have  been  No.  7,  as  it  was  preceded  by  Union 
Kilwinning  and  the  Master's  Lodge,  the  former  of  which  was  No.  4, 
and  the  latter  No.  6.  At  that  time,  then,  it  was  evidently  a  Lodge  of 
Modern   Masons,  for  there  were  no  York  Masons  in  the  Province,  and 


04  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge'  derived  all  its  authority  from  the  regular 
Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

But  the  answer  of  the  Seceding  Masons  asserts  that  in  consequence 
of  a  visit  to  the  North,  (where  it  may  be  observed  the  Athol  Lodges 
were  in  the  ascendant,)  the  Master  of  No.  236  had  changed  his  views 
and  become  an  Ancient  York  Mason,  and  that  on  his  return  home  he 
induced  the  members  of  his  Lodge  to  follow  his  example.  Now  if 
this  be  a  fact,  then  it  is  evident  that  Marine  Lodge  No.  7  could  no 
longer  have  retained  its  warrant  under  the  Provisional  Grand  Lodge. 
By  the  act  of  becoming  York  Masons  its  members  had  forfeited  then- 
warrant,  even  if  they  had  not,  under  a  sense  of  honor,  surrendered  it. 

The  next  step  then  would  be  to  apply  to  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of 
England,  or  some  other  Grand  Lod^e  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  for  a 
new  warrant.  If  this  were  granted,  the  name  of  the  Lodge  would  not 
of  course  be  affected,  but  the  number  would.  Marine  Lodge  No.  7, 
under  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  would  become 
Marine  Lodge  No.  236,  under  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

It  may  be,  however,  that  this  statement  is  reconcilable  with  historic 
truth,  and  that  when  the  members  of  Lodge  No.  236  changed  their 
views,  they  also  abandoned  their  original  warrant  from  the  Modern 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  applied  to  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  for  a 
new  one.  Of  this,  however,  I  have  no  evidence,  and  such  an  opinion 
can  only  be  based  on  conjecture. 

But  the  fact,  as  supported  by  documentary  evidence,  and  that  is  the 
only  kind  of  evidence  that,  in  such  a  case  as  this,  is  worth  attending 
to,  is  that  both  Lodge  No.  190  and  Lodge  No.  236  held  their  warrants 
from  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  England.     And  the  proof  is  this  : 

In  the  seventh  edition  of  Dermott's  "  Ahiman  Rezon,"  published  at 
London  in  1807,  under  the  editorship  of  Thomas  Harper,  then  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Athol  Giand  Lodge,  a  copy  of  which  is 
now  lying  before  me,  is  a  list  of  the  foreign  Ledges  under  that  Grand 
Lodge.  Two  of  them  are  stated  to  be  existing  in  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  and  their  names  and  places  of  meeting  are  given  in  the 
following  words  : 

"  190,  City  Tavern. 
236,  Queen  Street." 

Still  more  positively  to  confirm  the  truth  of  this  statement,  I  first 
refer  to  the  extract  from  the  reply  of  the  Seceding  Masons  in  1809, 
which  has  already  been  quoted,  and  I  find  that  in  that  year  Lodge  No. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  (55 

236  was  known  as  Lodge  No.  2.  This  is  easily  underwood.  Of 
course  when,  on  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons 
of  South  Carolina,  of  which  it  formed  a  constituent  part,  it  surren- 
dered its  old  wan  ant  to  its  Mother  Grand  Lodge,  it  took  a  new  one, 
and  with  it  a  new  number  from  the  Grand  Lodge  which  it  had  assisted 
in  establishing.  Then  Marine  Lodge  No.  7,  under  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge,  which  by  its  change  of  views  had  become  Marine  Lodge 
No.  236,  under  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  by  the  new 
organization  became  Marine  Lodge  No.  2,  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons. 

Agai:i,  in  Ncgrin's  "Register  of  the  Lodges  of  Masons  in  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,"  annexed  to  his  "Freemason's  Vocal  Assistant," 
and  published  at  Charleston  in  1807,  I  find  that  Marine  Lodge  No.  2 
is  recorded  as  meeting  at  "1>.  Wood's,  No.  97  Queea  st.,"  so  that  the 
number  of  the  Lodge  and  the  place  of  its  meeting  servo  positively 
to  identify  the  Lodge  No.  236,  recorded  on  the  registry  of  the  Athol 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  in  Harper's  edition  of  Dennott,  with  the 
Lodge  No.  236  which  united  with  four  other  York  Lodges  in  forming, 
in  1787,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina. 
And  so  Dalcho's  statement  that  it  was  a  Modern  Lodge,  holding  unler 
the  regular  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  falls  incontinently  to  the  ground, 
and  his  deduction  about  "unity  of  principles  and  work"  between  the 
two  bodies,  which  depended  on  the  truth  of  that  statement,  is  abso- 
lutely worthless.  But  this  has  been  no  uncommon  way  of  writing 
Masonic  history,  or  indeed  history  of  any  kind.  The  rule  has  too 
often  been,  first  to  frame  the  theory  and  then  to  invent  the  facts  to 
support  it. 

Having  thus  removed  the  rubbish,  we  are  prepared  to  lay  tho  foun- 
dation of  the  York  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  according  to  true 
historic  form. 

Thero  were  in  the  State  in  the  year  1786  five  Lodges  of  Ancient 
York  Masons  which  did  not  acknowledge  allegiance  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  South  Carolina.  These  wero 
Lodges  No.  190  and  236,  which  derived  their  warrants  from  the  Athol 
Grind  Lodge  of  England,  and  Lodges  No.  38,  40  and  47,  which  held 
under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  that  body  being  Ancient 
York  in  its  Masonry. 

Now,  according  to  the  rule  laid  down  by  Dennott,  and  adhered  to  by 
thj  Aucient  York  Masous,  although  it  never  was  a  landmark  nor  old 
5 


66  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

regulation,  and  not  therefore  observed  by  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  five  Lodges  were  necessary  to  the  legal  formation  of  a  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  York  Masons,  being  desirous  of  organizing  a  Grand  Lodge  of 
their  own  Order,  determined  to  take  the  necessary  measures  for  accom- 
plishing that  object.  Dalcho  says  that  they  proposed  terms  of  union 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  which,  at  that 
time,  had  eleven  Lodges  under  i!s  jurisdiction,  but  as  neither  party 
was  disposed  to  accept  the  conditions  proposed  by  the  other,  all  hope 
of  effecting  such  an  union  was  at  length  abandoned,  and  the  York 
Masons  resolved  to  take  the  necessary  steps  for  the  establishment  of  an 
independent  head. 

Accordingly  a  Convention  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons  in  the  State 
was  called,  which  met  at  the  Lodge  room  in  Lodge  Alley,  in  Charles- 
ton, on  the  24th  of  December,  1786,  when,  after  due  deliberation,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted : 

"That  the  Worshipful  Master  of  Lodge  No.  190,  the  senior  Lodge, 
be  requested  to  issue  his  summons  to  the  Officers  and  Past  Masters  of 
the  several  Ancient  and  regularly  constituted  Lodges  in  this  State,  to 
meet  in  Convention,  for  the  express  purpose  of  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  interest  of  the  true  Craft,  and  to  deliberate  on  the  expediency 
of  forming  a  Grand  Lodge." 

This  Convention,  which,  in  the  record,  is  called  "a  Grand  Conven- 
tion of  Ancient  York  Masons,"  was  held  at  the  same  place,  on  the  1st 
of  January,  1787.  The  Masters,  Past  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
Lodges  No.  190,  38,  40,  47  and  236  were  present. 

The  following  is  the  official  record  of  the  proceedings  on  that 
occasion  : 

"The  Convention  having  met,  agreeably  to  summons,  for  the 
express  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  interests  of  the  true 
Craft,  and  to  deliberate  on  the  expediency  of  forming  a  Grand  Lodge 
in  the  State  of  South  Carolina : 

"  The  following  motion  was  unanimously  agreed  to  : 

"That  Monday,  the  5th  day  of  February  next,  be  the  day  appointed 
for  the  election  of  a  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  other 
Grand  Officers,  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge,  (free  from  any  other  juris- 
diction,) for  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  Masonic  jurisdiction 
thereof." 

A  Convention  was,  in  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  held   at  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  67 

Lodge  room  in  Lodge  Alloy,  when  the  members  proceeded  to  ballot  for 
the  necessary  officers,  and  the  following  brethren  were  elected: 

Hon.  William  Drayton,  Grand  Master; 
Hon.  Mordccai  Gist,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Edward  Weyman,  Esq.,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Peter  Smith,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Robert  Knox,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary. 

I  find  it  stated  in  the  "General  Rules  and  Regulations"  for  the 
government  of  this  body,  a  copy  of  which,  printed  In  1795,  is  in  my 
possession,  that  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masous  was 
properly  instituted  and  established  on  the  24th  day  of  March,  in  the 
year  1787." 

Dalcho  throws  no  light  on  the  subject,  but  we  are  compelled  to  infer 
that  the  meeting  on  the  5th  of  February  was  only  preliminary,  and 
that  the  officers  having  been  elected  were  finally  installed,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  duly  and  completely  organized  on  the  24th  of  March 
following.  This  then  is  the  date  of  the  establishment  of  a  York 
Grand  Lodge  in  South  Carolina,  which,  now  that  all  the  actors  in  that 
and  the  other  important  events  to  which  it  led  have  passed  away,  we 
may  say  was  a  most  fruitful  source  of  discord  in  the  jurisdiction,  and 
the  means  of  introducing  many  innovations  from  the  ancient  land- 
marks, which  even  now  are  not  yet  all  removed. 

As  soon  as  the  Grand  Lodge  was  organized,  the  following  circular 
letter  was  transmitted  to  the  different  Grand  Lodges  of  England,  Scot- 
land, Ireland  and  America : 

CIRCULAR. 

•  "  We,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  for  the  State  of 
South  Carolina,  and  the  Masonic  jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging, 
legally  and  constitutionally  erected  and  organized,  and  in  ample  form 
assembled  ;  beg  leave,  with  all  due  respect,  and  in  the  true  spirit  of 
brotherly  love,  to  announce  to  you  our  formation  as  such ;  to  declare 
the  purity  of  those  motives  which  led  to  it;  to  assure  you  that,  by 
this  act,  we  mean  not  to  dissolve,  but  to  strengthen  that  union  by 
which  the  ancient  brethren  throughout  all  nations  are  connected,  and 
to  request  your  countenance  and  correspondence. 

'•  This  act,  brethren,  is  not  without  precedent,  nor  was  the  measure 
hastily  or  unadvisedly  adopted ;  the  truth  of  this  assertion  will  appear 


03  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

from  the  facts  stated  in  the  preamble  to  those  warrants  we  have  granted 
the  Lodges  under  our  jurisdiction ;  a  copy  of  which  we  have  above 
prefixed,  a3  coutaiui.ig  a  precise  account  of  the  foundation  of  this 
Grand  Lodge. 

"  The  necessity  of  the  measure,  and  the  motives  which  actuated  the 
brethren  to  proceed  in  this  important  business,  will  appear  obvious  to 
the  Masonic  world  from  a  few  plain  facts.  Tha  Ancient  Lodges  iu 
this  State  were  constituted  under  different  authorities,  and  subject  to 
different  and  very  distinct  jurisdictions ;  consequently  the  funds  (the 
first  natural  object  of  which  is  the  relief  of  such  distress  as  comes 
immediately  under  the  observation  of  the  brethren,)  were  necessarily 
subject  to  b?  diffused  to  distant  regions,  and  thereby  divided  into  such 
inconsiderable  portions,  that  the  charity  was  rendered  of  less  effect 
than  if  those  funds  were  more  compact;  add  to  this,  that  under  the 
foregoing  circumstances,  and  without  a  local  head,  it  might  become  at 
least  possible  for  the  Lodges  in  this  State  to  differ  in  sentini'-nt,  to 
deviate  by  degrees  tro.n  the  strict  union  of  Freemasonry,  and  to  vary 
from  that  conformity  to  ancient  landmarks,  and  uniformity  in  working, 
which  ought  ever  to  be  held  sacred  among  the  brethren. 

"  To  render  the  divine  principle  of  charity  more  effectual,  to  cement 
harmony  and  brotherly  love,  to  preserve  union,  conformity  and  uni- 
formity among  our  Lodges,  and  to  cultivate  strict  fellowship  with  all 
the  Ancient  Masonic  bodies,  within  reach  of  our  correspondence,  were 
our  motives  for  forming  and  establishing  a  Grand  Lodge  in  this  State, 
to  ' guide,  govern  and  direct'  our  local  proceedings;  and  for  the 
sincerity  of  those  motives,  we  appeal  to  that  Great  Architect,  who 
built  up  the  human  heart,  and  searches  the  inmost  recesses  of  its 
fabric. 

"  We  entreat  you  to  honor  us  with  your  friendly  advice  and  fraternal 
assistance  in  the  great  work  of  Masonry,  and  we  pray  that  the  Supreme 
Builder  and  Ruler  of  Heaven  and  earth  may  graciously  continue  you, 
Right  Worshipful  brethren,  iu  his  holy  keeping." 

We  learn  from  the  contemporary  records  that  some  dissatisfaction 
was  expressed  by  many,  even  of  the  York  Masons,  at  the  mode  in 
which  the  Grand  Lodge  was  established.  The  officers  of  Lodge  No. 
40,  which  held  its  warrant  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  who  had  attended  the  various  preliminary  conventions,  solemnly 
protested,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1787,  before  John  Troup,  E?q.,  a 
Notary  Public,  against  the  Convention  of  the  5th  of  February,  whea 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  60 

tTic  officers  were  elected,  and  at  the  same  time  addressed  a  memorial  to 
the  Grand  Loilgs  of  Pennsylvania.  The  protest  was  signed  by  the 
Masters  and  Wardens,  and  six  Past  Masters.  The  principal  grounds 
of  complaint  were  that  the  officers  were  not  elected  according  to 
ancient  custom,  and  that  disrespect  had  been  shown  to  the  Mother 
Grand  Lodges,  under  whom  the  respective  Lodges  held  their  warrants, 
in  not  requesting  their  consent  to  the  organization. 

Dalcho,  who  writes  as  though  he  had  seen  the  protest,  which  I  have 
not,  argues  very  sensibly  on  the  subject.     He  says: 

"  [t  appears  to  us,  at  this  distant  day,  that  there  was  no  great  causo 
for  the  excitement  produced.  The  temper  in  which  the  memorial  is 
drawn  up,  indicates  too  much  of  personal  feeling  to  allow  us  to  ascribe 
the  opposition  altogether  to  a  mere  difference  of  Masonic  forms.  Lodge 
No.  40  were  present  when  the  foimation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
unanimously  agreed  upon,  and  were  likewise  pre.-ent  at  the  election  of 
officers.  A  majority  of  votes,  of  course,  decided  the  election,  notwith- 
standing the  disapprobation  of  this  Lodge.  Their  subsequent  protest 
could  not  invalidate  the  proceedings.  On  the  other  point  of  com- 
plaint, there  caunot  be  a  doubt,  that  it  would  have  been  more  decorcus 
in  the  subordinate  Lodges,  and  more  respectful  to  the  Grand  Lodges, 
which  had  given  them  their  warrants,  to  have  obtained  their  previous 
consent,  which  unquestionably  would  not  have  been  refused." 

The  opposition  of  Lodge  No.  40  did  not,  however,  affect  the  pros- 
perity, nor  retard  the  progress  of  the  new  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  of  course  adopted  a  code  of 
"General  Rules  and  Regulations,"  and  introduced  a  system  of  Masonic 
jurisprudence  into  South  Carolina,  which,  under  the  legitimate  govern- 
ment of  its  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Gran  1  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  which  was  its  legal  successor,  had  never  been  known. 

It  admitted  Past  Masters  to  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
thus  at  once  destroyed  the  representative  character  of  that  body.  In 
the  regular  Grand  Lodge,  Masters  and  Wardens  alone  represented 
their  Lodges,  and  composed  the  constituents  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  In 
none  of  the  summonses  to  the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  which  I  have  seen,  are  Past  Masters  even 
named.  Thus  to  select  at  random  one  out  of  several  now  before  me, 
I  find  the  summons  to  the  Quarterly  Communication  of  the  18th  of 
June,  1763,  is  in  these  words: 

"  All  present  and  former  Grand  and  other  Officers  and  Stewards  of 
the   Most  Ancient  and  Honorable   Society  of  Freemasons   in  South 


70  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Carolina,  and  the  present  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  six  regular 
Lodges  under  the  Provincial  jurisdiction,  are  desired  to  assemble  in 
Quarterly  Communication,"  &c. 

The  York  Grand  Lodge  also  introduced  the  abominable  system  of 
proxies,  never  heard  of  in  South  Carolina  until  1787.  Any  Lodge 
might  be  represented  by  a  Past  Master  as  its  "proxy,"  although  not  a 
member  of  the  Lodge  which  he  represented,  provided  that  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Both  of  these  innovations  were  subsequently  introduced  into  the 
Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  on  the  uniou  of 
the  Yorks  with  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  1808  and  in  1817. 
The  proxy  system  was,  however,  abolished  in  1858,  and  the  member- 
ship of  Past  Masters  in  1860. 

Heretofore,  the  Craft  in  South  Carolina  had  been  governed  by 
Anderson's  Book  of  Constitutions,  which  had  been  prepared  under  the 
sanction  of  the  regular  Grand  Lodge  of  England  in  1723,  and  as 
early  as  1732  I  find  copies  of  it  advertised  for  sale  by  a  bookseller  in 
Charleston.  But  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  introduced  the 
spurious  laws  of  Laurence  Dermott,  and  decreed  in  their  24th  rule 
that  "upon  any  matter  or  thing  which  may  come  before  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  upon  which  the  foregoing  laws  are  silent,  reference  shall 
be  had  to  the  Ahiman  Rezon  of  Brother  Dermott,  of  London,  or 
that  of  Brother  Smith,  of  Philadelphia,  [which  by  the  way  is  but  an 
epitome  of  Dermott,]  until  a  Book  of  Constitutions,  similar  to  these 
Ahiman  Rezons,  shall  be  established  for  the  State  of  South  Carolina." 

The  contingency  alluded  to  in  the  last  clause,  actually  occurred  in 
1807,  when  the  "Ahiman  Rezon  of  South  Carolina"  was  published 
by  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  under  the  sanction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons.  It  is  of  course  wholly  founded  on  the  pre- 
ceding works  of  Dermott  and  Smith. 

However,  notwithstanding  these  innovations  on  the  ancient  laws  and 
landmarks,  the  York  Grand  Lodge  soon  became  very  popular,  and  em- 
braced a  much  larger  number  of  the  intelligent  and  influential  citizens 
of  the  State  within  its  fold  than  fell  to  the  lot  of  its  rival.  Beginning 
in  1787  with  five  Lodges,  it  had  in  1791,  only  four  years  after  its 
establishment,  thirty-five  upon  its  registry.  In  fifty  five  years  of  its 
existence  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  had  accom- 
plished just  one-third  of  that  amount  of  work. 

It  is  clear  that  the  Ancient  York  Masons  had  more  enterprise  and 
energy  than  their  opponents. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  71 

From  this  time  there  were  two  independent  Grand  Lodge*?  existing 
in  the  State  of  South  Carolina — one,  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Most 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,"  which 
was  the  regular  successor  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  which  had 
been  constituted  in  1736,  and  which  had  assumed  independence  in 
1777,  and  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York 
Masons,"  which  had  been  established  on  the  24th  of  March,  1787. 

Both  bodies  met  regularly — held  their  Quarterly  and  Annual  Com- 
munications— elected  their  Officers — and  granted  warrants  for  the 
constitution  of  new  Lodges.  But  their  records  have  been  lost  or 
destroyed,  and  by  diligcut  search  we  can  only  catch  occasional  glimpses 
of  their  proceedings. 

One  thing  is  certain ;  there  was  no  fraternal  communication  or 
mutual  visitings  between  them.  Each,  with  a  bitterness  not  surpassed 
by  any  odium  iheolnylcum,  ostracized  the  other. 

In  the  year  1791,  both  bodies  applied  to  the  Legislature  and  received 
incorporation.  As  these  acts  of  incorporation  were  the  first  ever 
granted  to  Masonic  bodies  in  the  State,  it  may  be  interesting  to  glance 
at  their  provisions.  The  character  of  the  powers  granted  by  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State  will  be  an  index  of  the  amount  of  reputation 
enjoyed  by  the  Fraternity  at  that  time  among  the  people. 

Both  acts  of  incorporation  are  dated  on  the  20th  of  December, 
1791. 

The.act  incorporating  the  York  Grand  Lodge,  under  the  name  and 
style  of  "the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina  Ancient 
York  Masons,  and  its  Masonic  Jurisdiction,"  consists  of  five  sections. 

The  first  section  declares  the  Grand  Lodge  and  its  Subordinate 
Lodges,  and  the  several  persons  who  now  are  or  shall  hereafter  become 
members  of  the  same,  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  with  perpetual  suc- 
cession of  Officers  and  Members,  and  a  common  seal,  with  power  to 
change  the  same. 

The  second  section  gives  to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  its  Lodge3  the 
ability  to  purchase  and  to  hold  in  perpetuity  or  for  any  term  of  years, 
lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments  not  exceeding  the  value  of  five 
thousand  pounds;  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  make  by-laws  and  rules  for  its 
government  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  to  constitute 
new  Lodges. 

The  third  article  gives  the  power  of  taking  and  holding  forever, 
donations  or  devises  and  bequests  of  land  not  exceeding  the  value  of 
five  hundred  pounds  sterling  per  annum. 


72  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  fourth  section  gives  the  power  to  hold  such  property  as  it  may 
now  possess  or  be  entitled  to,  or  which  may  already  have  been  given 
or  bequeathed  to  it. 

The  fifth  section  makes  the  act  of  incorporation  a  public  act. 

The  act  which  incorporated  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  by  the 
name  and  style  of  "the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,"  consists  of  four  sections. 

The  first  section  declares  that  the  said  Society  shall  consist  of  the 
Grand  Master  and  such  officers  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  appoint,  and 
of  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  several  Lodges  which  together  may 
compose  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  may  hold  lands  or  oilier  property  not 
exceeding  the  annual  income  of  five  hundred  pousdsj  may  sue  and  be 
sued,  &c  ,  and  make  necessary  by-laws. 

The  second  section  gives  the  power  to  issue  warrants  for  constituting 
Subordinate  Lodges,  which  Lodges  so  constituted  are  dec'ared  to  be 
legal  and  regular;  it  secures  the  privilege  of  meeting  when  and  where- 
soever it  may  be  deemed  expedient,  and  reiterates  the  power  of  making 
by-laws. 

The  third  section  is  simply  a  repetition  of  the  privilege  of  meeting. 

The  fourth  section  makes  the  act  a  public  act. 

It  must  be  confessed  that  the  act  seems  to  have  been  drawn  by  an 
unskillful  hand,  is  full  of  vain  and  needless  repetitions,  as  if  there 
were  a  nervous  anxiety  to  secure  by  reiteration  the  privileges  granted, 
and  although  nearly  twice  as  long  as  that  incorporating  the  Ancient 
York  Masons,  it  grants  no  more  powers.  In  the  enactment  of  both 
incorporations  the  Legislature  was  completely  impartial. 

I  have  hinted  at  the  possible  existence  of  anxiety  on  the  part  of  tho 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  relation  to  their  privileges,  showing  that 
they  were  not  altogether  at  ease  in  reference  to  the  greater  popularity 
of  the  Ancient  Yorks.  I  have  said  that  this  anxiety  may  have  given 
form  to  the  act  of  incorporation,  which  of  course  was  prepared  by  sonic 
of  the  leading  members,  and  which  shows  itself  in  the  cautious  repe- 
tition of  the  powers  and  privileges  granted.  Still  more,  I  think,  is 
this  anxious  feeling  exhibited  in  the  almost  argumentative  form  of  the 
preamble  to  the  act,  in  which  the  claims  and  merits  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  are  set  forth  in  moving  terms,  and  which  is  in  striking  contrast 
with  the  brief  and  manly  preamble  of  the  other  act. 

But  as  this  preamble  contains  some  facts  of  an  historical  character 
which  are  interesting,  it  may  be  well  to  cite  its  language: 

"Whereas,  John   Fauchereaud  Grimke,  Esq.,  Grand  Master,  and 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  73 

other  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
MasoH6,  constituted  in  this  State,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  thirty-six,  as  well  for  themselves,  as  for  and  in  name 
and  behalf  of  all  and  singular,  the  Masters,  Wardens,  other  officers  and 
members  of  the  several  Lodges  throughout  the  State,  holding  of  and 
uuder,  and  acknowledging  the  jurisdiction  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge, 
by  their  petition  to  the  General  Assembly  hav«  set  forth : — That  they 
had,  from  time  to  time,  siocc  their  being  constituted,  held  frequent 
meetings  within  this  State,  at  their  usual  and  stated  times  and  places 
of  forming,  and  have  ever  conducted  themselves  with  respect  and  obe- 
dience to  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  kindness  and  good  will,  not  only 
towards  their  brethren,  but  also  towards  their  fellow  citizens,  and  had 
distributed,  from  time  to  time,  to  all  without  distinction,  who  had  tho 
single  claim  to  wretchedness,  sums  t.i  a  great  amount,  by  voluntary 
contributions  amongst  themselves:  That  several  Lodges  throughout 
the  State,  besides  their  charitable  donations  towards  the  relief  and 
support  of  the  widows,  orphans  and  chi  dren  of  their  deceased  brethren, 
had  accumulated  aud  were  possessed  of  several  sums  of  money,  and 
also  real  estate,  and  were  willing  and  desirous  to  be  incorporated,  the 
better  to  enable  them  to  answer  the  humane  ends  of  their  institution, 
and  therefore  most  humbly  prayed  that  a  law  might  be  passed  for  incor- 
porating them  as  a  society,  by  the  name  and  style  of  'The  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  for  this  State.' " 

I  have  already  said,  that  the  Grand  1  judge  of  Ancient  York  Masons 
was  far  more  prosperous  than  that  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 
It  seems  tu  have  had  mujh  more  energy  and  enterprise,  and  to  have 
been  much  more  devoied  to  the  principles  of  Freemasonry.  It  ex- 
tended all  over  the  country.  In  fact,  there  were  few  Lodges  of  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  outside  of  the  city,  and,  therefore,  tho 
,most  itnpor'aut  part  of  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  South  Carolina 
is  identified  with  the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge.  It  took  the  most 
prominent  place  in  the  eye  of  the  profane  world,  and  thus  the  very 
common  error  has  been  committed  by  Webb  and  other  Masonic  writers 
cf  dating  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  in 
1787,  that  is  to  say,  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
and  not  iu  1736,  when  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  constituted, 
or,  at  least,  in  1777,  when  that  body  declared  itself  independent. 

One  of  the  unfortunate  results  of  the  inertness  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  is,  that  the  records  of  that  body  being 
preserved  only  iu  its  writtcu  iniuutcs,  the  Graud  Lodge  seldom  appear- 


74  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ing  before  the  public,  I  have  been  able  to  find  but  scanty  materials  for 
its  history  in  the  latter  part  of  the  18th  and  the  beginning  of  the  19th 
century.  It  is,  however,  known,  that  it  regularly  held  its  Quarterly 
and  Annual  Communications,  and  elected  its  Officers.  But  it  granted 
very  few  warrants  for  the  constitution  of  new  Lodges.  It  seems  for  a 
very  long  period  to  have  been  restricted  in  its  jurisdiction  to  twelve 
Lodges,  and,  indeed,  as  late  as  1817,  the  number  amounted  only  to 
fifteen,  while  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  in  the  year 
1807,  had  no  less  than  fifty-two  Lodges  en  its  registry,  and  had  even 
extended  its  operations  into  other  States  and  Territories,  having 
granted,  since  its  establishment,  warrants  for  constituting  Lodges  in 
North  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida. 

Neither  do  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  ever  appear  to  have  cele- 
brated the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  by  any  thing  more 
than  the  usual  Communication,  election  and  installation,  with  perhaps 
a  private  banquet. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  York  Masons  always  commemorrted  the  day 
by  a  public  procession  to  some  church,  and  by  a  Masonic  discourse. 
This  custom  prevailed  universally  in  the  country,  and  the  old  minutes 
of  such  Lodges  as  have  been  preserved  during  that  period  show  that 
the  celebration  of  the  Festival  in  this  way  was  never  neglected.  Often 
also,  but  not  so  frequently,  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  was 
celebrated  in  the  same  manner.  But  this  was  in  the  country.  In  the 
city,  the  latter  day  was  never  celebrated  as  a  Masonic  festival. 

From  1787  to  1800,  John  Faucheraud  Grimke  was  the  Grand  Master 
of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Masons.  Brian  Cape  was,  during  the  same 
period,  the  Grand  Secretary.  But  I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  any 
list  of  the  other  Officers. 

During  the  same  period  of  fourteen  years,  the  list  of  the  Officers  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  is  complete,  and  furnishes 
us  with  the  following  names: 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge   of  South  Carolina,  Ancient 
York  Masons,  for  1787. 

William  Drayton,  Esq.,  Grand  Master; 
Mordecai  Gist,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Edward  Weyman,  Esq.,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Peter  Smith,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 
Robert  Knox,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  75 

1T8S. 
Hon.  William  Drayton,  Grand  Master; 
Gen.  Mordccai  Gist,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Edward  Weyman,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Peter  Smith,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Robert  Knox,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1789. 
lion.  William  Drayton,  Grand  Master; 
Gen.  Mordccai  Gist,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Major  Thomas  B.  Bowen,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Colonel  John  Mitchell,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Robert  Knox,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1790. 
Gen.  Mordccai  Gist,  Grand  Master; 
Major  Thomas  B.  Bowen,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
George  Miller,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Colonel  John  Mitchell,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  Thomas  Gates,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Robert  Knox,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Ti'.cr. 

1791. 
Gen.  Mordccai  Gist,  Grand  Master; 
Major  Thomas  B.  Bowen,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Guilliam  Aertson,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Major  George  Reid,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1792. 
Major  Thomas  B.  Bowen,  Grand  Master; 
Rev.  Henry  Purcell,  D.D.,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 


76  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Major  George  Reid,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Archibald  Campbell,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
J.  Hamilton,  Grand  Marshal; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1793. 

Hon.  "William  Lough  ton  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master; 

Thomas  Stewart,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

John  Maynard  Davis,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

John  Drayton.  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 

Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Jacob  Kaiser,  Grand  Marshal; 

Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1794. 
Hon.  W:lliam  Loughton  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master; 
Thomas  Stewart,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
John  Maynard  Davis,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Timothy  Ford,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
llev.  George  Buist,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  H.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Jacob  Kaiser,  Grand  Marshal; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1795. 
Hon.  William  Loughton  Smith,  LL.D,  Grand  Master; 
Thomas  Stewart,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
John  Maynard  Davis,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
David  Haig,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  George  Buist,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  77 

1796. 
Ron.  William  Loughton  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master; 
Thomas  Stewart,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
John  Maynard  Davis,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
David  Ilaig,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  George  Buist,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  H.  Stevens,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  'iiler. 

1797. 
Hon  William  Loughton  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master; 
John  Maynard  Davis,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
David  llaig,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
James  Scot,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  George  l'uist,  D. D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Reticr  Wittemorc,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Graud  Tiler. 

1798. 
Hon.  William  Loughton  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master; 
John  Maynard  Davis,  Dep'ity  Grand  31aster; 
David  Haig,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
James  Scot,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  George  Buist,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary. 
Retier  Wittemorc,  Graud  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

1799. 
Rev.  TIenry  Purccll,  D.D.,  Grand  Master; 
Colonel  John  Mitchell,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Benjamin  Cudworth,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Scth  Paine,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Laurence  Campbell,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Marshal; 


78  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Betier  Wittcrnore,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Grand  Tiler. 

In  the  year  1799,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of 
South  Carolina  adopted  a  proposition,  in  which  it  reconmieuded  to  its 
sister  Grand  Lodges  the  holding  of  a  Convention  at  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  "Superintending  Grand 
Lodge  of  America."  In  a  circular  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on  that 
occasion,  it  assigns  the  reasons  for  making  this  proposition,  as  being 
"to  draw  closer  the  bonds  of  union  between  the  different  Lodges  iu 
the  United  States,  and  to  induce  them  to  join  in  some  systematic  plan 
whereby  the  drooping  spirit  of  the  Ancient  Craft  may  be  revived  and 
become  more  generally  useful  and  beneficial,  and  whereby  Ancient 
Masonry,  so  excellent  and  beautiful  iu  its  primitive  institution,  may  bo 
placed  upon  such  a  respectable  and  firm  basis  in  this  western  world,  as 
to  bid  defiance  to  the  shafts  of  malice,  or  the  feeble  attempts  of  any 
foreign  declaimers  to  bring  it  into  disrepute." 

This  was  the  first  and  the  last  attempt  in  South  Carolina  to  promote 
the  organization  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge.  The  subject  afterwards 
became  here  as  unpopular  as  it  was  elsewhere.  But  as  the  idea  was 
repeatedly  renewed  in  other  States,  and  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  subsequently  took  an  active  part  in  discouraging  it,  I  shall 
have  an  opportunity,  in  a  more  appropriate  place,  of  reviewing  the 
history  of  all  the  propositions  for  the  establishment  of  a  General  Grand 
Lodge,  which  have  been  made  since  the  introduction  of  organized 
Masonry  into  this  country. 

The  following  were  the  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons  in  the  year  1800  : 

Lieut.  Gov.  John  Drayton,  Grand  Master; 
John  Mitchell,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Benjamin  Cudworth,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Seth  Paine,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 
Lewis  Cameron,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Alexander  Alexander,  Grand  Secretary; 
Jervis  H.  Stevens,  Grand  Marshal; 
Alexander  McCleish,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
Israel  Meyers,  Crand  Tiler. 

In  the  same  year  the  following  were  the  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  all  of  whom  had  served  in  the  same 
offices  during  the  preceding  year  : 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


79 


Hon.  John  F.  Grimke,  Grand  Master; 
James  Lynah,  M.D.,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
George  Flagg,  Esq.,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Samuel  Wilson,  M.D.,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Rev.  Thomas  Mills,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 

,  Grand  Treasurer; 

B:ian  Cape,  Esq.,  Grand  Secretary; 

Mr.  Lewis  C.  M.  de  Mortmain,  Grand  Sword  Bearer; 

Robert  Wilson,  M.D., ' 

James  Troup,  Esq., 

Mr.  Charles  Kershaw, 

Mr.  Thomas  Cape, 

Mr.  John  Cape, 

Mr.  Paul  Hill,  Grand  Tiler 


*■  Grand  Stewards; 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER  VII. 

WASHINGTON   AND   THE   MASONS    OF    SOUTH   CAROLINA. 

George  Washington  had  been  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Free- 
masonry on  the  4th  of  November,  1752,  in  the  Lodge  at  Fredericks- 
burg, iu  Virginia.  As  I  have  said,  on  a  former  occasion,*  the  seed 
that  was  sown  on  that  eventful  evening  fell  not  on  a  barren  soil.  It 
grew  with  his  growth,  and  strengthened  with  his  strength,  and  bloomed 
and  ripened  into  an  abiding  love  and  glowing  zeal  for  our  Order,  nor 
ever  withered  nor  decayed  amid  all  the  trials  and  struggles,  the  perils 
and  excitement  of  a  long  life  ^pent,  first  in  battling  to  gain  the 
liberties  of  his  country,  and  then  in  counselling  to  preserve  them. 

Hence  the  Masons  of  America  have  ever  shown  a  proud  and  grateful 
recollection  of  the  conuection  of  the  Father  of  his  Country  with,  and 
his  uniform  attachment  to,  the  institution.  The  Fraternity  of  South 
Carolina  have  never  been  surpassed  by  those  of  any  other  State  in  the 
exhibition  of  their  evidences  of  pride  and  gratitude  on  all  fitting 
opportunities.  On  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  this  jurisdiction,  in 
1791,  he  was  received  with  a  congratulatory  address  from  his  brethren; 
in  his  obsequies,  performed  in  1800,  the  Masons  of  Charleston  took  a 
part  in  common  with  their  fellow  citizens.  They  celebrated  the  Cen- 
tennial Anniversary,  in  1852,  of  bis  initiation,  with  unusual  splendor; 
and  when  a  Carolina  Matron  undertook  the  noble  scheme  of  pur- 
chasing, by  the  contributions  of  the  people,  his  home  and  last  resting 
place,  as  a  national  domain,  none  were  so  liberal  as  the  Masons  of 
South  Carolina  in  the  material  aid  which  they  gave  to  the  enterprise. 

The  last  two  of  these  incidents  will  be  referred  to  in  their  proper 
chronological  order.  The  present  chapter  will  be  devoted  to  a  narra- 
tiun  of  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  first  and  second. 

After  his  election  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States,  Washing- 
ton, in  the  year  17U1,  undertook  a  tour  through  the  Southern  States 
of  the  Union,  where  he  had  never  been,  that  he  might  make  himself 
personally  acquainted  with  that  portion  of  his  fellow  citizens.     On  his 


*  "  Washington  as  a  Freemason."     An  address  delivered  at  Charleston  on 
the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  his  initiation. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  31 

arrival  in  South   Carolina,   he  was  addressed  by  the    Grand    Lodge, 
Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  in  the  following  language : 

"Sir:  Induced  by  respect  for  your  public  and  private  character,  as 
well  as  the  relation  in  which  you  stand  with  the  brethren  of  this 
Society,  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  Ancient 
York  Masons,  beg  leave  to  offer  our  sincere  congratulations  on  your 
arrival  in  this  State. 

"  We  felicitate  you  on  the  establishment  and  exercise  of  a  permanent 
Government,  whose  foundation  was  laid,  under  your  auspices,  by  mili- 
tary achievements,  upon  which  have  been  progressively  reared  the 
pillars  of  the  Free  Republic  over  which  you  preside,  supported  by 
wisdom,  strength  aud  beauty,  unrivalled  among  the  nations  of  the 
world. 

"The  fabric  thus  raised  and  committed  to  your  superintendence  we 
earnestly  wish  may  continue  to  produce  order  a:,d  harmony,  to  succeed- 
ing ages,  and  be  the  asylum  of  virtue  to  the  oppressed  of  all  parts  of 
the  universe. 

"  When  we  contemplate  the  distresses  of  war,  the  instances  of 
humanity  displayed  by  the  Craft  afford  some  relief  to  the  feeling  mind; 
and  it  gives  us  the  most  pleasing  sensatiou  to  recollect  that,  amidst  the 
difficulties  attendant  on  j'our  late  military  stations,  you  still  associated 
with  and  patronized  the  Ancient  Fraternity. 

"Distinguished  always  by  your  virtues  more  than  the  exalted  stations 
in  which  you  have  moved,  we  exult  in  the  opportunity  you  now  give 
us  of  hailing  you,  brother  of  our  Order,  and  trust  from  your  knowledge 
of  our  institution,  to  merit  your  countenance  and  support. 

"With  fervent  zeal  for  your  happiness,  we  pray  that  a  life  so  dear  to 
the  bosom  of  this  Society,  and  to  society  in  general,  may  be  long,  very 
long  preserved;  and,  when  you  leave  the  temporal  symbolic  Lodges  of 
this  world,  may  you  be  received  into  the  Celestial  Lodge  of  light  and 
perfection,  where  the  Graud  Master  Architect  of  the  universe  presides. 

"Lone  in  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"  Charleston,  2d  May,  1791.  M.   GIST,  G.   M." 

To  this  address,  Gen.  Washington  made  the  following  reply : 

"  To  (he  Grand  Lodge,  of  South  Carolina,  Ancient  York  Masons: 

"Gkntlkmen:  I  am  much  obliged  by  the  respect  which  you  are  so 
good  as  to   declare   for  my  publi  •  and  private  character.     1  recognize, 
with   pleasure,   my  relation  to  the   brethren  of  your  Society;  and  I 
6 


82  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

accept,  with  gratitude,  your  congratulations  on  my  arrival  in  South 
Carolina. 

"Your  sentiments  on  the  establishment  and  exercise  of  our  equal 
Government  are  worthy  of  an  association  luhose  principles  lead  to 
purity  of  morals,  and  are  beneficial  of  action. 

"  The  fabric  of  our  freedom  is  placed  on  the  enduring  basis  of 
public  virtue,  and  will,  I  fondly  hope,  long  continue  to  protect  the 
prosperity  of  the  architects  who  raised  it. 

"1  shall  be  happy  on  every  occasion  to  evince  my  regard  for  the 
Fraternity.     For  your  prosperity  individually,  I  offer  my  best  wishes. 

GEO.  WASHINGTON." 

There  is  no  record  of  any  similar  address  having  been  made  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  For  this  apparent 
omission  of  a  duty  of  respect  on  a  subsequent  occasion,  I  shali  directly 
undertake  to  offer  some  probable  explanation. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  1799,  the  great  and  good  Washington 
departed  this  life.  The  gloom  which  this  melancholy  event  cast  over 
the  whole  country  is  a  matter  of  history.  He  was  deplored  by  all  as  a 
common  father.  But  the  Masons,  recognizing  in  him  a  faithful 
brother  of  their  Ancient  Craft,  mingled  with  peculiar  grief  in  the 
general  mourning.  In  South  Carolina  these  demonstrations  of  regret 
and  of  respect  were  not  less  profound  than  those  of  any  other  State  or 
jurisdiction. 

As  in  the  case  of  Washington's  visit,  just  recorded,  I  can  find  no 
record  of  any  public  action  taken  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  on  this  occasion.  Indeed  there  is  no  mention  in 
the  journals  of  the  day  of  that  body  having  taken  any  part  in  the 
civic  procession  of  the  community  of  Charleston,  which  took  place  on 
the  15th  of  February,  in  which  the  York  Masons,  to  the  number  of 
250,  took  a  prominent  part,  and  appeared  in  "  funeral  order." 

I  am  almost  afraid  to  record  the  explanation  which  alone  suggests 
itself  to  me,  of  the  surprising  silence  and  absence  of  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  on  this  occasion.  But  when  it  is  remembered  how 
bitter  was  the  feud  between  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
the  Ancient  Yorks — how  each  denied  the  legitimacy  and  regularity  of 
the  other — and  how  the  Grand  Lodge  of  each  body  fostered  a  hostile 
feeling  in  its  members  towards  the  other,  a  feeling  deeper  in  South 
Carolina,  because  nowhere  else  in  the  country  did  such  rivalry  ever 
exist,  or  if  once  existing,  it  had  long  ceased,  and  the  controversy  had 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  83 

been  reconciled,  I  have  been  compelled,  however  reluctant,  to  suspect 
that  the  failure  or  refusal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  to  paiticipate  in  the  Masonic  ceremonies  in  honor  of  Washing- 
ton, is  to  be  attributed  solely  to  the  fact,  that  having  been  made  in 
Virginia,  he  was  an  Ancient  York  Mason,  and  that  his  Masonic  claim 
was  not  therefore  recognized  by  them.  They  mourned  him  as  citizens, 
but  could  not  admit  his  right  to  Masonic  funeral  honors. 

After  all,  were  they  not  consistent  in  this?  And  did  it  not  at  least 
shew  their  devotion  to  their  principles,  that  neither  the  fear  of  unprpu- 
larity,  nor  the  persuasions  of  patriotism  and  filial  gratitude,  would 
permit  them  to  abandon  the  ground  they  had  taken,  in  common  with 
their  mother  Lodge  of  England,  that  all  Ancient  York  Masons  were 
irregular  and  clandestine  ? 

Of  course  no  such  feeling  existed  among  the  Ancient  Yorks,  and 
their  demonstrations  of  respect  for  the  Masonic  memory  of  Washing- 
ton were  abundant. 

On  the  3d  of  January,  1800,  the  Grand  Lodge  recommended  to  the 
members  of  the  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction  to  wear  crape  on  their 
hats  for  one  month. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  they  united  with  their  fellow-citizens  in  the 
bur  al  s  rvice  that  was  performed. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  following 
resolutions : 

"Penetrated  with  heartfelt  sorrow,  the  Grand  Lodge  has  the  painful 
task  of  announcing  to  the  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  the  death  of 
their  highly  honored,  much  esteemed,  and  greatly  beloved  fellow- 
citizen,  friend  and  brother,  Gen.  George  Washington.  Sensible  of  his 
distinguished  and  fraternal  regard  for  the  Ancient  Craft,  as  well  as 
being  deeply  impressed  with  the  preeminent  services  he  has  rendered 
to  his  country;  Therefore 

"Resolved,  '1  hat  the  symbols  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  dressed  with 
mourning  at  every  meeting,  for  the  space  of  six  months;  and  that  the 
Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction  be  required  to  dress  in  the  like  manner 
for  the  same  space  of  time,  reckoning  from  the  date  of  their  receiving 
notice  of  this  resolve. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  mark  of  mourning,  recommended  by  the  Grand 
Officers  to  be  worn  by  the  brethren  on  their  hats,*  for  the  space  of 
thirty  days,  be  continued  for  three  months. 

*  On  the  3d  of  January,  the  Grand  Master  had  issued  a  decree,  recommend- 
ing that  the  Fraternity  should  wear  crape  on  their  hats  for  one  month. 


S4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be  directed  to  forward  a  copy 
of  these  resolves  to  the  several  Lodges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
Grand  Lodge;  and,  also,  to  write  a  circular  letter  to  the  sister  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  United  States,  expressive  of  heartfelt  sympathy  and 
condolence  with  them  in  this  great  and  common  loss  of  our  beloved 
brother. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  will  concur  in  the  arrangements 
that  may  be  made,  for  a  procession  on  Friday  next,  by  the  committee 
of  citizens  appointed  for  that  purpose." 

On  the  15th  of  February  there  was  a  procession  of  the  citizens  of 
Charleston.  In  this  procession  the  Ancient  York  Masons  appeared,  to 
the  number  of  upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Congress  having  recommended  that  the  people  should  assemble 
everywhere  on  the  22d  of  February,  1800,  to  testify  their  grief  by 
"  suitable  eulogies,  orations  and  discourses,"  Friendship  Lodge  No.  9, 
an  Ancient  York  Lodge,  appointed  Seth  Paine,  the  Senior  Grand 
Warden  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  deliver  an  eulogy.     . 

For  a  copy  of  this  address  I  had  long  sought  in  vain — not  one  was 
to  be  found  in  the  archives  of  any  of  the  Lodges  in  South  Carolina, 
where,  although  the  Lodge,  before  which  it  had  been  delivered,  is  still 
in  existence,  the  very  memory  of  it  seems  to  have  been  forgotten. 

At  length  Brother  S.  Hayden,  of  Athens,  Pennsylvania,  a  gentleman 
of  much  antiquarian  learning,  and  who  has  long  been  making  researches 
into  the  Masonic  life  of  Washington,  informed  me  that  he  was  the  for- 
tunate possessor  of  a  copy,  perhaps  the  only  one  extant,  and  most 
kindly  presented  me  with  a  manuscript  copy  of  the  pamphlet.  From 
the  preface  I  extract  the  following  statement  as  interesting  to  the 
Craft : 

"On  Saturday  evening,  the  22d  of  February,  1800,  Masonic  Fune- 
ral Honors,  in  memory  of  the  late  General  George  Washington,  who 
was  the  friend  and  brother  of  the  Ancient  Craft,  were  performed  in  the 
new  Lodge  Room,  in  Charleston,  by  the  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  IX, 
Ancient  York  Masons.  There  were  present,  besides  the  members  of 
the  said  Lodge,  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor Drayton ;  the  Right  Worshipful  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Colonel 
John  Mitchell;  the  rest  of  the  Grand  Officers;  the  Officers  of  the 
private  Lodges,  who  hold  their  meetings  in  town;  and  a  numerous 
assemblage  of  visiting  brethren. 

"The  room  was  shrouded  with  black,  strewed  with  tears,  death's 
heads,  &c.     In  the  centre  was  raised  a  dome,  supported  by  five  columns, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  35 

dressed  with  crape  and  Masonic  funeral  decorations,  resting  upon  a 
platform  elevated  a  number  of  steps  from  the  floor — the  whole  suitably 
lighted.  Under  the  dome  was  placed  a  coffin,  with  the  appropriate 
emblems;  over  the  dome,  a  gilt  urn,  iuscribed  with  the  name  of  the 
deceased.  Many  other  emblems  and  inscriptions  were  displayed,  in  a 
style  adapted  to  the  occasion. 

"The  ceremonies  were  performed  in  a  most  solemn  and  impressive 
manner,  and  agreeably  to  Ancient  form.  Several  excellent  admonitions, 
and  a  Masonic  funeral  service,  were  delivered  by  the  Worshipful  Master. 

"A  band  of  music  assisted,  and  anthems,  and  a  solemn  dirge,  com- 
posed for  the  purpose,  were  performed. 

"It  is  not  easy  to  express  the  profound  respect  and  veneration,  the 
deep  regret  for  departed  worth  and  excellence,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
the  melancholy  pleasure  which  filled  every  heart,  and  were  displayed  in 
every  countenance." 

P  An  able  and  interesting  discourse  was  then  delivered  by  Brother 
Paine,  from  which,  however,  I  cannot  find  space  to  make  any  extracts. 
The  subject,  of  course,  was  the  public  and  private  character,  and  the 
moral,  Christian  and  Masonic  virtues,  of  the  Father  of  his  Country.    ' 


SQ  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   UNION   IN    1808. 

The  discord  and  dissensions  which  had  existed  between  the  Ancient 
and  Modern  Masons,  since  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
former  in  the  year  1787,  had  now  reached  so  great  a  degree  of  bitter- 
ness that  some  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  parties  began  to 
see  the  necessity  of  a  reconciliation  and  union  as  the  only  means  of 
preserving  the  integrity  and  usefulness  of  the  Order. 

As  early  therefore  as  1807,  the  necessary  steps  were  inaugurated  for 
a  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges. 

Dr.  Dalcho,  in  the  second  edition  of  his  "  Ahiman  Rezon,"  makes, 
on  this  subject,  the  following  remarks  : 

"The  differences  which  kept  apart  the  Fraternity  in  this  State  were 
known  to  be  so  unimportant  that  an  earnest  desire  to  effect  a  union 
was  felt,  and  oftentimes  expressed  by  several  enlightened  and  influ- 
ential members  of  both  Grand  Lodges.  It  was  well  known  to  many  of 
the  brethren  that  there  was  no  difference  in  the  work  or  discipline; 
^hat  each  body  was  acquainted  with  the  same  marks  of  distinction, 
and  that  the  brethren  of  either  body  could,  and  many  of  them  did, 
visit  the  other,  consistently  with  their  obligations.  And  when  the 
subject  came  to  be  officially  investigated,  it  was  matter  of  astonish- 
ment to  many  that  the  Masouic  family  had  been  so  long  divided." 

If  the  statement  here  made  as  to  the  identity  of  work  and  discipline 
were  historically  correct,  it  would  indeed  be  a  matter  of  surprise,  not 
only  that  a  uuion  of  the  two  parties  had  been  so  long  delayed,  but  that 
a  disruption  had  ever  taken  place.  But  candor  compels  me  to  say  that 
I  have  ever  found  Dalcho  unreliable  as  a  Masonic  historian,  and  that 
his  statements,  when  unsupported,  are  almost  always  to  be  taken  with 
many  grains  of  allowance. 

Preston*  informs  us  that  the  first  secession  which  took  place  between 
the  Moderns  and  the  Ancients — I  use  these  terms,  as  I  have  before 
said,  simply  to  avoid  a  circumlocution — occurred  at  a  time  when  "  the 
general   murmur  had   spread  abroad  on   account  of  some  innovations 

*  Illustrations,  Oliver's  edition,  p.  210. 


TS  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  87 

that  had  been  introduced,  and  which  seemed  to  authorize  an  omission 
of,  and  a  variation  in,  the  ancient  ceremonies."  And  he  elsewhere 
adds  that,  although  a  seeming  reconciliation  took  place  at  the  time, 
for  these  innovations  had  "offended  many  old  Masons,"  yet  that  they 
finally  led  to  the  schism  which  was  consummated  in  the  formation  of 
the  Athol  or  Ancient  Grand  Lodge. 

Laurence  Dermott,  to  whom,  more  than  to  any  other  man,  the 
Ancient  York  Masons  were  indebted  for  their  popularity  and  prosperity, 
and  who  was  the  author  of  that  Book  of  Constitutions,  which,  uuder 
the  then  novel  title  of  "  Ahimau  Ilezon,"  was,  until  the  dissolution  of 
the  contest,  the  guide  and  law  code  of  the  Ancients  over  all  the  world, 
has  left  us,  as  his  testimony,  that  "  there  is  a  material  difference 
be*tween  the  Ancients  and  the  Moderns,  because  an  Ancient  Mason 
can,  not  only  make  himself  known  to  his  brother,  but  in  case  of  neces- 
sity can  discover  his  very  thoughts  to  him  in  the  presence  of  a  Modern, 
without  being  able  to  distinguish  that  either  of  them  are  Free- 
masons."* And  in  another  place  he  says,  still  more  emphatically  : 
"It  is  a  truth,  beyond  contradiction,  that  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  iu  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  the  Ancient  Masons  in  England, 
have  one  and  the  same  customs,  usages  and  ceremonies.  But  this  is 
not  the  case  with  the  Modem  Masons  in  England,  who  differ  materially 
not  only  from  the  above,  but  from  most  Masons  under  the  sun."f 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  Ancient  and  Modern  Masons  of 
South  Carolina  were  derived  from  the  corresponding  parties  in  England, 
and,  therefore,  that  whatever  is  said  of  the  latter  is  ecpially  applicable 
to  the  former. 

Dalcho  himself,  in  a  preceding  part  of  his  book,  admits  that  the 
Ancient  York  Masons  had  "marks  of  distinction  peculiar  to  them- 
selves, and  every  Mason  on  earth,  but  themselves,  was  cut  off  from 
their  Lodges."  And  he  adds,  that  "of  this  fact  the  evidence  is 
universal."| 

I  find  it  equally  difficult  to  reconcile  his  statement  that  mutual 
visitations  were  permitted  between  the  members  of  the  two  bodies, 
with  the  facts  from  other  sources  in  my  possession. 

Just  before  the  uuion,  Lodge  No.  8,  au  Ancient  York  Lodge, 
expelled   one   of    its   members   for   having   visited   a   Lodge   of  the 


*  Ahimau  Rezon,  p.  31,  edition  1778. 

f  Ahiman  Rezon,  p.  69,  edition  1778.     Note. 

|  Ahiman  Rezon,  'id  edition,  p.  192. 


£&  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Moderns,  and  although  this  might  tend  to  prove  that  the  Ancients 
sometimes  visited  the  Moderns,  it  shows  that  such  visitations  were  not 
considered  as  legal,  and  that  of  course  there  was  no  reciprocation  on 
the  part  of  the  Anc'ent  Yorks,  who  always  strenuously  refused  to 
admit  the  Moderns  to  visit  their  Lodges.  In  a  letter  from  Palmetto 
Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurens,  to  Prudence  Lodge  No.  31,  at  Charleston, 
dated  26th  January,  1809,  I  find  this  emphatic  sentence,  which,  it 
appears  to  me,  must  at  once  settle  the  question  as  to  the  opinion  at 
that  time  entertained  by  the  Ancients  of  the  Moderns :  "  These 
Modern  or  new  Masons  we  know  not,  neither  indeed  can  we,  since  '  he 
that  cometh  not  in  by  the  door,'  agreeably  to  our  ancient  landmarks, 
'but  climbeth  over  the  wall  or  some  other  way,  is  a  thief  and  a 
robber.' " 

But  the  point  is  definitively  established  by  the  following  passage, 
from  the  "  Answer  to  the  Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina,"  a  pamphlet  of  which  I  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to 
speak.* 

"  We  do  contend  that  no  Modern  Mason  can  be  or  ever  was  admitted 
into  our  (York)  Lodges  without  being  made  over  again. "f 

It  must  be  confessed,  however,  that  the  Modern  Masons  do  not 
appear  to  have  acted  with  the  same  scrupulous  consistency,  and  it  is 
possible,  or  even  probable,  that  they  sometimes  admitted  the  Ancients 
to  visit  them.  But  this  was  certainly  in  violation  of  the  regulations 
of  their  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  principles  for  which  they  contended 
when  they  declared  the  Ancient  Masons  to  be  irregular. 

As  to  Dalcho's  last  assertion,  that  there  was  no  difference  in  the 
discipli-e  of  the  two  parties,  the  error  of  such  a  statement  will  at  once 
be  made  evident  by  a  comparison  of  Anderson's  "Constitutions,"  the 
code  of  law  adopted  by  the  Moderns,  and  Dermott's  "  Ahiman 
Rezon,"  which  was  the  code  of  the  Ancients. 

It  is  sufficient  here  to  say  that,  among  other  things,  the  very  organi- 
zation of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  was  different,  for  while  the  Moderns 
restricted  their  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Present  and  Past  Grand  Officers, 
and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  allowing 
none  others  to  seats  or  votes  in  it,  the  Ancients  introduced  the  doctrine 
that  Past  Masters  were,  by  virtue  of  having  passed  the  chair,  members 
of  the  Graud  Lodge. 


*  Answer  to  the  Address  of  the  Committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina:  Charleston,  1809. 
■j-  Answer,  p.  16. 


IN  FOUTH  CAROLINA.  89 

There  was  then  considerable  difference  of  work  and  discipline 
between  the  two  bodies,  and  an  unfortunate  condition  of  discord  and 
acerbity  of  feeling  between  the  members. 

But  this,  of  course,  to  every  well  regulated  mind  and  true  heart, 
only  furnished  a  stronger  reason  why  an  attempt  at  union  and  the 
restoration  of  harmony  should  be  made. 

Exertions  had  therefore  been  frequently  male  by  individuals  of  both 
sides  to  effect  this  desirable  object;  repeated  propositions  had  been 
advanced  and  urged,  which,  although  not  immediately  attended  with 
the  desired  result,  had  opened  and  prepared  the  way  for  a  better 
mutual  understanding;  for  the  reconciliation  of  those  ultraists  in  either 
party,  who  were  much  averse  to  any  association,  and  for  finally  direct- 
ing the  attention  cf  all,  to  the  great  object  of  their  common  society. 

At  length,  the  consummation  so  devoutly  wished,  seemed  about 
to  be  achieved.  On  the  9th  of  July,  1808,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York 
Masons,  after  several  preliminary  unofficial  interviews  with  the  other 
party  had  taken  place,  appointed  a  committee  consisting  of  the  Hon. 
William  Loughton  Smith,  Grand  Master;  Henry  Ilorlbeck,  Esq., 
Senior  Grand  Warden;  and  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  Corresponding 
Grand  Secretary,  "to  meet  any  committee  that  might  be  appointed  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  for  the  purpose  of 
inquiring  into  the  eligibility  of  formiug  a  union  between  the  two 
Grand  Lodges,  and  to  report  thereon  at  the  next  stated  meeting." 

On  the  same  evening,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  adopted  a  similar  course,  and  appointed  for  the  same  purpose, 
a  committee  consisting  of  the  Hon.  John  F.  Gritnke,  Past  Grand 
Mas'er;  Dr.  James  Lyuah,  Grand  Master;  and  George  Flagg,  Esq., 
Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Several  c  mferences  were  held  by  these  committees,  aud,  finally,  on 
the  5th  of  September,  1808,  the  joint  committee  adopted  and  proposed 
the  following: 

Articles  of  Union  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  South 

Carolina. 

"The  Grand  Lodges  of  'Free  and  Accepted'  and  'York  Masons/ 
in  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  being  desirous  of  terminating  the 
disunion  which  has  so  long  and  so  unfortunately  existed  between  them, 
and,  in  imitation  of  the  example  which  has  so  laudably  been  set  them 
by  different  bodies,  calling  themselves  by  differeut  denominations,  do 
agree  to  unite  and  become  incorporated  into  one  body,  that  the  unity 


90  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

and  ancient  landmarks  of  the  Craft  may  be  preserved  unto  the  remotest 
ages.  To  carry  into  effect  these  fraternal  and  honorable  intentions,  the 
Right  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  York  Ma=ons,  have 
nominated  and  appointed,  by  an  unanimous  vote,  the  Hon.  and  R.  W» 
William  Louglron  Smith,  LL.D.,  Grand  Master;  the  R.  W.  Henry 
Horlbeck,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ;  and  the  M.  W.  Frederick  Dalcho, 
M.D.,  Corresponding  Graud  Secretary,  a  committee,  for  and  in  behalf 
of  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid;  and  the  R.  W. 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  aud  Accepted  Masons  have  nominated  and  ap- 
pointed, by  an  unanimous  vote,  the  Hon.  and  R.  W.  John  F.  Grimk6, 
LL.D.,  Past  Grand  Master;  the  R.  W.  Jam^s  Lynah,  M.D  ,  Grand 
Master;  and  the  R  W.  George  Flagg,  Esq.,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  a 
committee,  for  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  Graud  Lodge,  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid;  which  committees  having  met  at  the  house  of  the  R. 
W.  Brother  Smith,  have  entered  into  the  following  agreement  and  con- 
vention, subject,  nevertheless,  to  the  ratification  of  their  respective 
Grand  Lodges : 

"  Art.  1st.  The  two  Grand  Lodges  shall,  by  joint  petition,  pray  the 
Legislature,  at  its  next  session,  to  revoke  the  charters  of  incorporation, 
heretofore  granted  them  respectively,  and  to  incorporate  them  into  one 
body,  to  be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  name  and  style  of  '  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,'  with  the  like  powers  and  privileges 
as  were  granted  them  by.  the  several  acts  of  incorporation  of  20th 
December,  1791. 

"  Art.  2d.  All  property  belonging  to  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  present  Grand  Lodges,  is  fully  confirmed  to  the 
said  Lodges. 

"  Art.  3d.  As  the  new  act  of  incorporation  will,  necessarily,  require 
the  issuing  new  charters  to  all  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  under  the  juris- 
diction and  authority  of  'The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,'  they 
shall  be  inserted  in  the  register,  and  take  rank  according  to  the  date  of 
the  respective  warrants  of  constitution,  for  which  purpose  a  committee 
of  examination  and  arrangement  shall  be  app  >inted  by  '  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina;'  but  such  new  charters  shall  be  issued  free 
of  any  expense. 

"  Art.  4th  The  oath  and  form  of  initiation,  together  with  the  form 
of  working,  shall  hereafter  be,  as  near  as  possible,  the  same  in  all  the 
Lodges:  for  which  purpose,  a  committee  of  inspectors  shall  be  ap- 
pointed as  soon  as  convenient,  after  the  passing  of  the  act  of  incorpo- 
ration ;  which  inspectors,  having  worked  in  the  presence,  and  having 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  91 

obtained  the  sanction  and  approbation,  of  '  The  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina,'  shall  instruct  and  direct  the  several  Lodges  under  this  juris- 
diction, in  an  uniform  system  of  working  and  initiation ;  until  when, 
all  the  Lodges  shall  iuitiate  in  both  forms  at  present  practiced  accord- 
ing to  their  respective  usages ;  giving  the  necessary  instructions,  words 
and  passwords  of  both  respectively. 

"  Art.  5th.  As  soon  as  authentic  information  shall  be  received  of  the 
passing  of  the  act  of  incorporation,  the  Grand  Masters  of  the  present 
Grand  Lodges  shall  summon  their  respective  bodies  to  assemble,  in 
convention,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  Grand  Officers,  and  otherwise 
organizing  'The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.' 

"Art.  6th.  All  the  present  and  Fast  Grand  Officers,  and  the  present 
Officers  and  Past  Masters  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  existing  Grand  Lodges,  shall,  at  the  first  meeting  of 
'The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,'  after  the  act  of  incorporation, 
f  ppear  in  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  and  there  receive  and  take  the  cus- 
tomary oath  of  secrecy;  and  as  soon  thereafter  as  convenient,  the 
Masters  of  the  several  Subordinate  Lodges  shall  administer  the  said 
oath  to  their  respective  Officers  and  Members. 

"  Art  7th.  Brethren  from  foreign  Lodges,  who  will  take  the  cus- 
tomary test,  and  enter  iuto  an  obligation  not  to  reveal  any  part  of  our 
mysteries  or  ceremonies,  shall  be  admitted  without  regard  to  their  being 
'Ancient'  or  '  Modem,'  usually  so  called;  which  names  of  distinction 
shall  hereafter  cease,  and  all  the  fraternity  be  known  by  the  appellation 
of  'Free  and  Accepted  Masons.' 

William  Lougiiton  Smith, 
John  F.  Grimke, 
James  Lynah, 
George  Flagg, 
Henry  Horlbeck, 
Frei  erick  Dalcho. 
"Charleston,  (&  C.)  Sept.  hth,  1808." 

These  articles  of  union  were  presented  to  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  and 
solemnly  adopted  by  each — by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Aucient  York 
Masons  on  the  24th  September,  1808,  and  three  days  after  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

Daloho  says  that  the  ratification  was  "  unanimous,"  and  this  was 
probably  the  fact,  although  it  will  be  hereafter  seen,  that  so  far  as  re- 
gards, the  STork  Masons,  the  unanimity  of  apprefval  did  not  long  prevail. 


92  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

At  this  time,  the  following  were  the  Officers  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges. 

•  Of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  : 
Win.  Loughton  Smith,  Grand  Master; 

,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Henry  Horlbcck,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 

Wm.  Porter,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Rev.  Geo.  Buist,  Grand  Chaplain ; 

Richard  Stiff,  Grand  Treasurer; 

J.  H.  Mitchell,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary. 

And  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  : 
James  Lynah,  M.D.,  Grand  Master; 
Geo.  Flagg,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

About  this  time,  an  incident  occurred  which  demonstrated  the 
desire  of  both  parties  to  bury  all  their  differences  in  oblivion,  and  to 
mingle  in  one  Fraternity. 

On  the  21th  of  October,  1808,  the  two  Grand  Lodges  united  in  the 
ceremony  of  laying  the  corner  stone  of  a  factory  about  to  be  erected, 
in  the  city  of  Charleston,  by  the  Carolina  Homespun  Company.  At 
11  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  a  procession  was  formed,  consisting  of  the 
officers  and  members  of  the  Homespun  Company,  each  one  wearing  a 
cockade  of  raw  cotton  in  his  hat,  the  Governor  of  the  State,  the 
members  of  the  Legislature,  several  military  companies  and  many  of 
the  citizens,  and  the  officers  and  members  of  both  the  Grand  Lodges. 
The  procession  moved  to  the  site  of  the  intended  building,  where  the 
stone  was  laid  in  due  Masonic  form  by  the  two  Grand  Masters,  William 
Loughton  Smith,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons,  and  Dr.  James 
Lynah,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  after 
which  an  address  was  delivered  by  the  former  gentleman.  At  the 
dawn  of  day,  and  during  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner  stone, 
salutes  were  fired  by  the  artillery,  and  the  bells  of  St.  Michael's 
Church  were  rung,  at  intervals,  until  evening. 

This  is,  I  think,  the  only  instance  in  the  records  of  Masonry,  of 
two  Grand  Masters  uniting  in  the  ceremony  of  laying  a  corner  stone. 

On  the  17th  of  December  following,  the  two  Grand  Lodges  met  in 
their  respective  chambers  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  preliminary 
arrangements  for  a  final  union.     In  the  meantime  the  articles  of  union 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA  93 

had  been  printed  and  placet!  in  the  hands  of  the  members,  although  it 
does  not  appear  that  they  were  regularly  sent  to  the  Subordinate  Lodges 
for  their  approbation. 

As  soou  as  the  Ancient  York  Masons  had  had  an  opportunity  of 
carefully  examining  the  purport  of  these  articles,  many  of  them  be- 
came strenuously  opposed  to  the  seventh  proposition,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  admit  "Modern  Masons"  to  visit  the  "  Ancient  York 
Masons,"  without  undergoing  a  new  making,  as  they  contended  had 
always  been  the  rule.  This  they  believed  to  be  a  violation  of  their 
obligation,  and  they  determined  to  make  an  effort  for  its  repeal. 

Accordingly  at  the  meeting  of  the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge,  on 
the  17th  of  December,  1S08,  Samuel  Nobbs,  the  Master  of  Lodge  No. 
81,  in  pursuance  of  the  instructions  of  that  Lodge,  assisted  by  his 
Wardens,  made  every  effort  to  have  it  repealed,  but  without  success, 
the  Grand  Master  declaring  the  motion  to  that  effect  to  be  out  of  order. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  inform  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Moderns 
that  they  were  ready  to  join  them,  and  it  was  resolved  to  receive  the 
committee  of  that  body  in  open  Grand  Lodge. 

On  the  adoption  of  this  motion,  the  Master  and  Wardens  of  Lodge 
No.  31,  governed  by  the  same  conscientious  scruples  which  had  induced 
them  to  move  the  repeal  of  the  seventh  article,  retired  from  the  Lodge 
room. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  were  then 
introduced,  and  the  union  having  been  duly  ratified,  the  United  Graud 
Lodge  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers,  with  the  following  result : 

Hon.  Win.  Loughton  Smith,  Grand  Master; 

Hon.  J.  F.  Grimke,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Henry  Horlbeck,  Senior  Graud  Warden; 

William  Porter,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Richard  Stiff,  Graud  Treasurer; 

John  II.  Mitchell,  Kecording  Grand  Secretary; 

Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Corresponding  Graud  Secretary; 

J.  II.  Stevens,  Grand  Marshal; 

Joseph  Drummond,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Robert  Shaud,  Grand  Tiler. 

It  was  worthy  of  notice,  as  showing  the  preponderance  of  the 
Ancient  York  Masons  at  the  time  of  the  union  over  the  Free  and 
Accepted,  that  of  all  these  officers  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  alone 
belonged  to  the  latter  party.     All  the  rest  were  Aucient  Voiks. 


()4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

On  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  which  soon  after  ensued, 
a  general  Grand  Communication  was  convened,  but  owing  to  some 
circumstances,  the  true  nature  of  which  I  have  beeu  unable  to  discover 
from  any  extant  records,  the  installation  did  not  take  place  until  the 
31st  of  December,  1808,  so  that  the  newly  united  Grand  Lodge  com- 
menced its  legal  Masonic  existence  with  the  commencement  of  the 
year  1809. 

Of  the  events  that  immediately  succeeded  this  ill  comented  union, 
and  of  the  schism  and  disruption  that  at  once  took  place,  I  shall  have 
occasion  to  speak  in  the  next  chapter. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    DISRUPTION    IN    1809. 

Notwithstanding  the  apparent  unanimity  with  which  tb.3  articles 
of  union  were  ratified  on  the  24th  of  September,  1808,  the  union  was  not 
eventually  consummated  under  the  same  unanimous  auspices  Great 
dissatisfaction  was  expressed  and  felt,  not  only  by  many  of  the  subordi- 
nate Lodges  in  the  State,  but  by  several  of  the  sister  Grand  Lodges  of 
the  United  States.  This  dissatisfaction  was,  however,  confiued  to  the 
Lodges  aud  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Ancient  York  party. 

I  have  already  said  that  the  principal  objection  to  the  union  arose 
from  that  clause  of  the  7th  article  which  permitted  "Moderns"  to 
visit  the  Lodges  of  the  "Ancients"  without  a  preparatory  initiation. 
While  the  "  Moderns  "  had  not  been  very  rigid  in  their  course  on  this 
subject,  the  "  Ancieuts"  had  always  been  distinguished  for  the  perti- 
nacity with  which  they  maintained  that  they  aloue  constituted  "  the 
true  church,"  and  that  the  Moderns  were  not,  in  the  proper  sense  of 
the  word.  Masons  at  all,  nor  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  order. 
This  doctrine  they  had  received  from  their  Coryphceus,  Laurence  Der- 
inott,  and  they  were  reluctant  to  abandon  it,  since  its  very  exclusiveness 
elevated  them,  as  they  thought,  above  their  more  generous,  or,  at  least, 
less  exclusive,  rivals. 

Of  course  there  was  a  difference  among  individuals  in  respect  to  the 
strength  of  this  sentiment.  There  was  a  strict  aud  a  lax  observance  of 
the  principle.  Some  were  less  exclusive  than  others.  The  former 
found  no  difficulty  in  adhering  to  the  union,  notwithstanding  the 
obnoxious  seventh  article.  The  others,  the  disciplinarians,  could  not 
consent  to  any  amalgamation  which  threw  the  doors  of  their  Lodges 
open,  indiscriminately,  to  the  Moderns. 

Tie  most  prominent  of  these  op]  osers  of  the  union  were  the  mem- 
bers of  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31,  in  Charleston.  The  Master  of  this 
Lodge  was  Samuel  Nobbs,  a  man  of  great  firmness  of  purpose,  and  to 
whose  indomitable  perseverance  in  the  pursuit  of  what  he  believed  to 
be  right,  we  are  to  attribute  all  the  difficulties  which  almost  imme- 
diately ensued  after  the  consummation  of  the  union  on  the  31st  of 
December,  1808. 


90  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

No  sootier,  therefore,  had  the  union  been  complete  J,  than  St.  John's 
Lodge  No.  31  held  a  meeting,  in  which,  after  condemning  the  course 
of  the  York  Masons  who  had  entered  into  it,  they  determined  to  take 
the  necessary  steps  for  the  revival  of  the  Old  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons. 

As  a  preliminary  measure  they  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an 
address  to  the  other  York  Lodges  throughout  the  State. 

Accordingly,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1808,  that  committee  addressed 
the  following  circular  to  the  Lodges  formerly  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge : 

Charleston,  January  1th,  1809;  and  of  Masonry,  5809. 
Worshipful  Sir  and  Brethren'  : 

We,  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  Saint  John's  Lodge  No. 
31,  Ancient  York  Masons,  do  inform  yon  that  our  representatives  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  held  on  the 
evening  of  the  17th  December,  1808,  did  use  their  utmost  endeavors 
to  prevent  the  Convention  of  Ancient  York  and  Modern  Masons,  from 
being  carried  into  effect,  it  being  contrary  to  our  obligation  as  Ancient 
)'<>./:  Masons.  Nevertheless,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  An<  lent  York 
Masons  did  admit  the  Committee  of  Modem  Masons,  in  open  Lodge, 
to  make  their  report,  which  we  couccive  to  be  repugnant  to  the  princi- 
ples of  our  Anci-mt  Craft,  and,  after  they  retired,  the  Grand  Master 
closed  the  Grand  L 'dye  of  Ancient  York  Masons  until  the  27th 
December,  1808;  but,  on  that  day,  much  to  our  astonishment,  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  uot  opened,  aud  has  not  since  been.  After  closing 
the  Graud  Lodge  as  above,  they  did  admit  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Modem  Masons  in  convention,  and  they  jointly  did  elect 
offn-'-rs  to  preside  over  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  (not 
Ancient  York  Masons,)  and,  as  we  conceive,  highly  improper  and  in- 
consistent with  the  rules  and  regulations  of  Ancient  York  Masonry. 
Aud  we  are  directed  to  inform  you  our  Lodge  are  resolved  not  to  come 
into  their  measures;  nor  will  we  place  ourselves  under  their  jurisdic- 
tion; aud  mean,  by  the  help  of  our  Supreme  Grand  Master,  to  hold  to 
our  integrity  as  Ancient  York  Masons.  And  as  you,  our  brethren, 
have  taken  the  necessary  obligations,  you  will  easily  perceive  it  is  im- 
possible to  comply  with  the  seventh  article  of  their  convention,  which 
admits  of  Modern  Masons  into  Ancient  Lodges  without  having  gone 
through  the  forms  required  by  Ancient  Masonry;  and  you  know, 
brethren,  no  man  can  be  admitted  into  a  Lodge  of  Ancient  Masons 


i\    -MiTIf  ('ARM  LIN  A. 


97 


without  being  regularly  entered,  past  and  raised  in  a  regular  constituted 
Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons. 

Brethren,  we  think  it  highly  necessary  to  inform  you  unanimity  ia 
required  in  our  present  situation,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons. is  suspended  in  Charleston,  and  can  only  be  revived  by 
the  joint  endeavors  of  the  several  Subordinate  Lodges  who  have  not, 
nor  will  not,  take  the  test  oath  and  acknowledge  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of.  South  Carolina  (not  Ancient  York  Masons).  It 
may  be  also  proper  to  inform  you  that  Lodges,  when  the  majority  of 
its  members  have  taken  the  said  test  oath,  have  thought  proper  to 
reject,  and  imperiously  turned  out  and  deprived  those  who  take  the 
liberty  of  differing  in  opinion  with  them  of  the  privilege  aud  benefits 
which  they  are  entitled  to;  and,  although  they  may  have  been  regu- 
larly admitted  and  considered  respectable  members  of  the  said  Lodge, 
without  regard  to  their  being  old  and  faithful  Past  Masters  of  the 
Lod  _ 

Brethren,  we  are  also  requested   to  inform   you  that  the  country 
Lodges   were   not,  agreeable  to   our  opiniou,  duly  aud  properly  repre- 
sented, that  is  to  say,  one  person  acted  as  a  proxy  for  several  Lodges 
and,  by  the  regulation  acted  upon,  the  said  proxy  was  not  entitled  but 
to  one  vote,  although  they  represented  several  Lodges. 

It  is  our  wish  you  should  unite  with  us  in  support  of  our  Ancient 
Craft,  and  for  that  reason  we  have  been  instructed  to  address  you, 
hoping  you  will  return  an  answer  to  this,  our  letter,  as  speedily  as 
possible. 

We  are,  Brethren,  your  obt,  &c, 

John  Darby,  ^ 

Eliab  Kingman,  j 

Samuel  Nobbs,  I  Committee. 

Richard  Smallwood,  j 
Morris  Goldsmith,     J 

To  this  letter  favorable  replies  were  received  from  many  of  the 
Lodges.  The  general  tenor  of  these  letters,  all  of  which  I  have  care- 
fully read  and  have  now  before  me,  may  be  judged  of  by  the  following 
extract  from  one  of  them,  from  Lodge  No.  39,  at  Coosawhatchie  : 

"  A\  e  will,  with  pleasure,  cooperate  with  you  or  any  other  Lodge 
that  may  be  disposed  to  aid  us  in  the  support  of  our  ancient  establish- 
ment.    Nor  will  we  acknowledge  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 


Ojj  history  of  freemasonry 

of  South  Carolina,  or  hold  ourselves  amenable  for  any  of  our  acts  to 
them,  they  having  absolved  themselves  from  all  control  over  us." 
•  Another  clause,  in  the  seventh  article,  which  required  every  Mason 
when  he  visite  J  a  Lodge  to  enter  into  an  obligation  "  not  to  reveal  any 
part  of  the  mysteries  or  ceremonies,"  gave  as  much  offence  as  that 
other  clause  already  alluded  to,  which  authorized  Modern  Masons  to  visit 
Ancient  York  Lodges  without  further  preparation  than  the  taking  of 
this  oath  of  secrecy. 

What  made  it  still  more  obnoxious  was  a  resolution  adopted  by  the 
new  Grand  Lodge  on  the  28th  of  January,  LS09,  by  which  such  mem- 
bers of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  as  should  refuse  to  take  or  affirm  to  the 
oath  of  secrecy  when  required  so  to  do  by  the  Worshipful  Master,  were 
declared  to  be  prohibited  from  visiting  or  sitting  in  any  Lodge  under 
its  jurisdiction,  until  they  should   have   taken  or  affirmed  to  the  same. 

By  a  fair  interpretation  it  excluded  York  Masons  from  visiting 
Lodges  of  their  own  rite,  until  they  had  embarrassed  themselves  with 
this  new  test.  And,  by  a  just  deduction,  they  argued  that  such  a  test 
could  not  be  necessary  unless  there  had  been  a  change  in  the  work. 
"If  the  work  is  not  altered,"  said  Lodge  No.  31,  in  ono  of  its  subse- 
quent circulars,  "  why  this  strong  precaution  ?  and  why  turn  a  Mason 
out  of  his  Mother  Lodge  for  not  taking  it,  and  debar  him  of  all  his 
former  rights  and  privileges?" 

To  test  this  question  a  committee  of  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31,  on 
the  evening  of  the  1st  February,  1809,  visited  the  place  of  meeting  of 
Lodge  No.  8,  an  Ancient  York  Lodge,  which  had  submitted  to  the 
United  Grand  Ledge.  On  demanding  admission,  but  refusing  to  take 
the  test  oath  which  was  tendered  to  them,  they  were  not  permitted  to 
enter.  This  circumstance  was  repor'ed  to  the  Lodge,  and  immediately 
after  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

"  Resolve?,  That  this  Lodge  will  not  acknowledge  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina,  nor  admit  any  of  its  members,  or  the  members  of 
any  Lodge  under  its  jurisdiction,  that  have  taken  the  test  or  oath  of 
secrecy  for  Moderns,  to  enter  the  Loige  before  taking  the  regular  obli- 
gation as  we  have." 

In  the  meantime  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  not  slow 
in  vindicating  its  rights,  but,  on  the  contrary,  appears  to  have  acted 
with  much  energy  in  the  attempt  to  put  down  the  growing  op- 
position. 

In  January  the  Grand  Lodge  appointed  a  Committee  of  Inspectors 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  99 

to  superintend  the  working  of  the  Subordinat-3  Lodges,  and  to  introduce 
a  system  of  uniformity  in  the  ceremonies. 

This  Committee,  of  which  Benjamin  Cudwrth,  a  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  former  York  Grand  Lodge,  was  Chairman,  appeared  on  the 
evening  of  the  1st  of  March,  1809,  b.-fore  the  door  of  St.  John's 
L)dge  X).  31,  and  requested  admission.  After  some  delay  they  were 
waited  upon  by  a  committee  who  informed  them  that  the  Lodye  did 
nut  acknowledge  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodize  of  South  Caro- 
lina, and  had  come  to  the  conclusion  to  admit  no  one  who  had  taken 
the  test  oath  as  required  by  the  Convention  and  adopted  by  the  said 
Grand  Lodge. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Inspectors  replied  that  they  did  not  come  there 
to  hi  interrogatefl  as  to  whether  they  had  or  had  not  taken  the  te  :t  oath, 
but  in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  by  its 
authority,  to  demand  admittance,  which  being  again  positively  refused, 
the  Inspectors  withdrew. 

This  in  ident  was,  of  course,  at  once  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina,  and  the  consequence  was  the  adoption,  on  the  2d  of 
March.  1809,  of  the  following  stringent  resolutions: 

"  Wheieas,  sundry  persons,  calling  themselves  Free  Misons,  in  defi- 
ance of  the  Masonic  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
and  i:i  contempt  of  the  most  sacred  obligations,  do  c.mtinuc  to  assem- 
ble for  the  purpose  of  making  Free  Masons,  and  for  performing  other 
work  appertaining  to  the  Craft,  without  having  legal  warrants  of  con- 
sti  ution  from  the  Grand  Lodge  for  so  doing ;  and,  whereas,  several  of 
them  have,  at  divers  times,  distributed  printed  circular  letters  among 
the  faithful  Brotherhood  for  the  purpose  of  exciting  sedition  and  rebel- 
lion against  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  iuducing  them 
to  violate  the  obedience  which  is  due  to  the  lawful  head  of  the  Craft  in 
this  State,  and  have,  in  the  said  circulars,  spoken  in  the  most  contemp- 
tuous manner  of  the  proceedings  and  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
And,  whereas,  some  injury  may  arise  to  the  Craft  from  artful  persons 
imposing  upon  the  credulity  of  some  Brethren  who,  with  the  best 
intentions,  will  not,  however,  take  the  trouble  to  inquire  into  the  truth 
of  their  representations,  and  may,  in  this  manner,  seduce  them  from 
their  just  allegiance;  it  has  become  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to 
take  order  in  the  premises. 

'•  There  ore,  B>-  it  liewloed,  That  every  warrant  of  constitution,  for 
holding  of  u  Ludge  for  making  of  Free  Masons  in  this  State,  not  issued 


KM)  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

by  this  Grand  Lodge,  is  null  aud  void,  and  of  no  effect  from  and  after 
the  date  hereof. 

"Resolved,  That  every  person,  entered,  passed  or  raised,  in  this 
State,  or  within  the  limits  of  its  masonic  jurisdiction,  except  in  those 
Lodges  working  under  the  sanction  and  authority  of  this  Graud  Lodge, 
are  hereby  deemed  and  declared  to  be  clandestine  Masons.  Provided, 
That  this  resolution  shall  not  extend  to  the  country  Lodges  until  after 
the  quarterly  communication  in  June  next. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Lodge  in  this  city,  calling  itself  St.  John's 
Lodge  No.  31,  Ancient  York  Masons,  acting  under  a  warrant  of  con- 
stitution which  is  null  and  void,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  declared  to 
be  a  clandestine  Lodge,  and  the  members  thereof  be  expelled  from  the 
true  Craft. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  will  not  issue  warrants  of  consti- 
tution to  any  Lodge  in  any  other  State  where  there  is  a  superintending 
Grand  Lodge. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  do  transmit  to 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction,  and  to  the  several 
Grand  Lodges  in  coirespondence  with  us,  in  the  usual  mode,  the  fore- 
going report  and  resolutions." 

Matters  were  now,  by  this  act  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  brought  to  a 
crisis.  The  recusant  Masous  were  placed  by  this  decree  of  expulsion 
in  such  a  position  that  they  were  compelled  either  to  surrender  their 
warrants,  acknowledge  themselves  clandestine,  or  unite  in  the  organi- 
zation of  a  new  or  the  resuscitation  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons.  The  last  course,,  as  being  the  most  sensible 
and  prudent,  they  determined  to  adopt. 

Accordingly  on  the  1st  of  April,  1809,  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31, 
to  which  the  other  Lodges  seemed  willingly  to  have  surrendered  the 
lead  in  all  these  movements,  issued  a  circular  to  the  York  Lodges  of 
the  State,  suggesting  the  appointment  of  one  or  more  proxies  from  each 
Lodge  to  meet  in  the  town  of  Columbia,  on  the  1st  of  May,  for  the 
purpose  of  reviving  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  elect- 
ing officers  and  fixing  the  future  times  and  places  of  meeting. 

This  proposition  was  cordially  responded  to,  and  on  that  day  the 
proxies  or  representatives  of  sixteen  Lodges  met  in  convention  at 
Columbia. 

As  the  proceedings  of  that  Convention  were  highly  important,  and 
as  but  rare  copies  of  the  document  which  contains   them  are  now  in 


IN  SOTJTB  CAROLINA.  ioi 

existence,  I  have   deemed   it  most  expedient  to   publish  the   original 
report  of  the  transactions  of  the  Convention. 

"A1,  a  Grand  Convention  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  held  at  Colum- 
bia on  the  first  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  nine,  and  of  Masonry  5809  :  Composed  of  Proxies  from 
the  following  Lodges,  viz : 

"From  Lodge  No.  6,  Winnsborough,  Caleb  Clark,  Esq. 

No.  19,  Laurens  Court-House,  Robt.  Hutchinson. 

No.  24,  Hockey  Creek,  Charles  Thorn. 

No.  28,  Chester  Court-House,  George  Kennedy. 

No.  Si,  Charleston,  John  Darby. 

No.  32,  Yorkville,  James  Mitchell. 

No.  34,  Edistow  Island,  (St.  John's,  Colleton,)  13.  Bailey. 

No.  41,  Beaufort,  Beoj.  Jinkins. 

No.  42,  St.  Helena,      Ditto. 

No.  43,  Newberry  Court-House,  Jas.  M'Kibbon,  &  Saml.  M'Callcy. 

Xo.  44,  Laurens  District,  Win    F.  Downes. 

No.  48,  Marion  Court-House,  John  Gibson. 

No.  53,  Newberry,  E.  L.  Hogg. 

No.  54,  Edgefield  District,  John  Abney. 

No.  55,  Barnwell  District,  David  Ewing,  &  Saml.  M.  Wallace. 

No.  58,  Cambridge,  Archey  Mayson. 

"Brother  Caleb  Clark,  Esq.,  as  representative  of  the  Senior  Lodge, 
was  called  to  the  Chair;  and  Brother  Benjamin  Jinkins,  Esq.,  nomi- 
nated Secretary;  after  which  the  representatives  from  the  several 
Lodges  produced  their  Credentials,  which  were  read  and  approved  of. 
The  Convention  then  proceeded  to  take  into  consideration  the  several 
subject  matters  for  which  it  was  convened,  and  after  discussion  and 
mature  deliberation,  unanimously  adopted  the  following  Resolves — 

"  Resolve  1. — Resolved,  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  the 
officers  and  members  which  composed  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons,  by  uniting  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  in  the  manner  adopted  by  them,  were  guilty  of  Unmasonic 
Conduct,  violated  the  trusts  and  confidence  reposed  in  them  as  Ancient 
York  Masons,  forfeited  all  the  rights  and  privileges  as  such,  and  all 
rights,  benefits,  and  advantages  resulting  to  them  from  the  Act  of 
Incorporation,  passed  on  the  20th  December,  1791. 

l(  Resolvi  2. — Resolved,  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention, 
those  Lodges  which  have  not  acoeded   to  the  union  of  the  two  Grand. 


102  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodges,  but  have  refused  to  surrender  their  Old  Warrants  and  accept 
of  new  ones  in  their  stead,  from  the  Grand  Lodge  denominated  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Free  &  Accepted  Masons,  are 
the  only  true  Lodges  uf  Ancient  York  Masons  in  this  State,  and 
that  they  owe  no  allegiance  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  but  lurve  power 
and  are  fully  authorized  by  virtue  of  their  Warrants  of  Constitution, 
and  the  Act  of  Incorporation  passed  as  aforesaid,  to  perpetuate  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  South-Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons. 

"  Resolve  3. — Resolved  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  the 
several  Subordinate  Lodges  which  were  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  at  the  time  of  its  union  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  which  are  in 
arrears  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  ought  not 
to  piy  the  same  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina,  (not 
Ancient  York  Masons,")  but  should  retain  it  until  otherwise  ordered  by 
the  Grand  L  dge  of  South-Carolina  Ancient  York  3Iasous,  to  bo  per- 
petuated by  this  Convention. 

" Resolve '4; — Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention, 
that  no  Mason  that  has  taken  the  Test-Oath,  presented  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  (so  called),  ought 
to  be  admitted  into  any  Lodge  that  may  be  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Aucient  York  Masons,  perpetuated 
by  this  Convention. 

"Resolve  5. — Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention, 
that  the  Warrants  of  Constitution  held  by  the  several  Subordinate 
Lodges  which  have  not  acceded  to  the  union  are  valid,  and  sufficient 
for  the  said  Lodges  to  convene  and  work  under. 

"  Resolve  6. — Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention, 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons  ought 
to  be  immediately  perpetuated,  and  officers  elected  for  the  same. 
.  "  Resolve  7. — Resolved,  that  this  Convention  do,  at  ten  o'clock  on 
Wednesday,  the  third  instant,  go  into  an  election  of  officers  for  the 
said  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons. 

"  Wednesday,  May  3rd,  1809. 
"The  Convention,  agreeable  to  the  7th  Resolve,  at  ten  o'clock  this 
day,  went  into  an  election  for  the  several  officers  for  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South-Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  on  casting  up  the  ballots 
it  appeared  that  the  following  Brethren  were  unanimously  elected — 
The  Honorable  Judge  William  Smith,  Grand  Master;  Colonel  Chas.  J. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  103 

Colcock,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Captain  "William  C.  Meirgot,  Senior 
Grand  Warden;  George  Taylor,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ;  Captain 
John  Buchanan,  Grand  Secretary;  John  Johnson,  Esq.,  Grand  Trea- 
surer; John  Darby,  Esq.,  Grand  Marshall;  and  Benjamin  Jenkins, 
Esq.,  Grand  Pursuivant.  After  the  election,  the  following  Resolves 
were  adopted — 

"  Resolve  8. — Resolved,  that  the  Standing  Committee  of  corres- 
pondence and  arrangement  do  consist  of  the  Committee  of  Corres- 
pondence of.  Lodge  No   31,  Charleston. 

"Resolve  9 — Hesolved,  that  the  officers  elect  be  notified  of  their 
election,  and  that  on  Monday,  the  10th  inst.,  at  Charleston,  be  the 
time  and  place  for  their  installation. 

"  Resolve  10. — Resolved,  that  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Arrangement  of  this  Convention  have  printed  one  hundred  copies  of 
the  Resolves  and  Proceedings  of  this  Convention,  and  transmit  a  copy 
thereof  to  each  Lodge  that  they  may  deem  necessary  and  proper. 

"  R  solve  11.  —  Resolved,  that  the  several  Credentials  which  have 
been  produced  and  approved  of  by  this  Convention  be  placed  into  the 
hands  of  John  Darby,  and  by  him  delivered  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
said  Grand  Lodge. 

"  R- solve  1-. — Resolved,  that  the  Chairman,  and  Brother  Darby, 
have  published  in  the  Columbia  and  Charleston  papers  the  names  of 
the  Brethren  elected  to  the  offices  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

?•  Resolve  13. — Resolved,  that  Brother  Archey  Mayson,  William  F. 
Dowues,  and  Samuel  M.  Wallace,  be  a  Committee  to  tender  the  thanks 
of  this  Convention  to  the  Officers  and  Members  of  St.  John's  Lodge 
No.  31,  Charleston,  for  their  exertions  in  support  of  the  Ancient  Craft. 

"  Resolve  14. — Resolved,  that  this  Convention  do  recommend  to  the 
Officers  and  Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  Ancient 
York  Masons,  that  they  meet  in  Columbia,  on  Wednesday,  the  29th 
November  next,  for  the  purpose  of  transacting  such  business  as  may  be 
laid  before  them  for  the  interest  of  the  True  Craft. 

"  R>s  Ive  15. — Resolved,  that  this  Convention  do  adjourn,  and  that 
the  Resolves  and  Proceedings  be  signed  by  the  Chairman,  and  counter- 
signed by  the  Secretary,  and  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Brother 
John  Darby,  and  by  him  delivered  (after  publication)  into  the  hands 
of  the  Grand  Secretary. 

"CALEB  CLARK,    Chairman. 

"BENJ.  JENKINS,  Secretary." 

And  thus,  after  an  ephemeral  union  of  scarcely  four  months — an  im- 


104  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

perfect  union,  because,  from  the  very  commencement  of  it,  many  of 
the  Lodges  refused  their  sanction  or  concurrence,  we  see  discord  again 
lifting  its  head,  and  two  Grand  Lodges  once  more  dividing  and  dis- 
tracting the  Masonic  jurisdiction  of  South  Carolina. 

The  "  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina"  consisted  of  all  the  Lodges 
which  formerly  held  their  warrants  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  with  a  few  of  the  York  Lodges.  The  "  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons"  was  composed  entirely 
of  the  Lodges  which  had  formerly  held  their  warrants  from  its  prede- 
cessor, and  which  had  not  united  with  the  new  Grand  Lodae  of  South 
Carolina. 

Notwithstanding  the  disruption  which  had  thus  suddenly  taken 
place,  the  intended  union  cannot  be  considered  as  altogether  a  failure. 
It  evidently  prepared  the  way  for  that  more  perfect  and  permanent 
union  which  was  consummated  nine  years  afterwards,  and  under  which 
we  are  now  living. 

It  is  worth  while  to  investigate  the  real  effect  of  the  union  of  the 
two  Grand  Lodges  in  the  year  1808 — the  effect,  I  mean,  not  in  the 
condition  of  the  Lodges  at  that  time,  or  on  the  prosperity  of  the  Order 
at  any  time  thereafter,  but  the  effect  on  the  subsequent  character  of  the 
ritual  in  the  State. 

From  1736  to  1787,  or  to  a  few  years  anterior  to  that  latter  date, 
the  Masons  of  South  Carolina  were  working  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  England,  that  body 
which  had  been  reorganized  in  1717,  and  which  the  Athol  Masons  had 
attempted  to  stigmatize  with  the  offensive  name  of  the  "  Moderns." 

xV  few  years  anterior  to  1787,  the  Athol  Grand  Lodges  of  England 
and  Pennsylvania  had  introduced  their  system  of  what  was-called 
"Ancient  York  Masonry"  iuto  the  jurisdiction,  and  a  Grand  Lodge 
of  that  party  having  been  established  in  1787,  from  that  time  to  1808, 
South  Carolina  resembled  England  in  having  the  government  of  the 
Order  distracted  between  two  Grand  Lodges,  namely :  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  older,  and  undoubtedly,  by 
all  the  principles  of  Masonic  jurisprudence,  the  regular  and  legal  one; 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  which,  irregular  in  its 
descent  from  the  spurious  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  was  schismatic 
and  an  intruder. 

Between  these  two  Grand  Lodges  there  sprung  up  a  bitter  rivalry, 
based  on  the  pretension  of  each  to  Masonic  purity  and  legality,  and  the 
denial  of  these  attributes  to  its  antagonist. 


IN   SOUTH  CAROLINA  105 

Notwithstanding;  the  loose  assertions  of  Dalcho  to  the  contrary,  we 
have  the  most  undoubted  authority  for  saying,  that  there  were  material 
and  essential  differences  in  the  work  and  discipline  of  these  two  bodies. 
Dermott,  Preston,  Oliver,  all  indeed  who  have  written  on  the  Bttbji 
concur  in  this  opinion.  Dermott  and  Preston,  each  of  whom  was  well 
acquainted  with  both  systems,  unequivocally  assert  the  fact  as  to  the 
work.     It  cannot  therefore  be  denied. 

As  to  the  discipline,  there  is  here  even  less  reason  for  doubt.  Der- 
mott's  "Ahiman  Rezon"  was  the  standard  law  authority  of  the  York 
party;  Anderson's  "Constitutions,"  of  the  Free  and  Accepted.  Both 
books  are  easily  accessible  to  any  one,  and  a  cursory  inspection  of 
them  will  demonstrate  that  the  law  and  discipline  inculcated  by  the 
one,  is  in  many  ess  ntial  points  opposed  to  what  was  taught  by  the 
other. 

As  to  the  popularity  of  the  two  parties,  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  apply 
the  word  to  Masonry,  as  indicating  or  expressing  that  good  will  in  the 
community  which  aids  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  a  society,  the 
York  Masons  evidently  had  the  advantage.  I  do  not  know  to  what  to 
attribute  this  fact,  except  it  be  to  the  greater  energy,  devotion  and 
Masonic  intelligence  of  their  members,  but  in  all  countries  where  the 
two  opposing  Societies  came  into  contact,  the  Ancient  York  .Masons 
appear  to  have  gone  rapidly  ahead  of  the  Free  and  Accepted.  It  was 
the  case  in  England,  where  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  was  in  correspond- 
ence with  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  which  bodies  for 
a  long  time  refused  Masonic  communion  with  the  regular  Gran  1  Lodge 
of  England. 

Iu  America,  a  large  majority  of  the  Grand  Lodges  were  Ancient 
York  iu  their  origin  and  character. 

And  in  South  Carolina,  the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge  numbered 
three  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  for  every  one  that  was  under  that 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

Now,  it  was  natural  that  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons — at  least 
the  intelligent  ones — should  see  and  understand  all  this.  It  was 
natural  that  they  should  endeavor  to  get  rid  of  these  successful  rivals, 
whose  success  was  being  built  on  their  own  ruin.  It  did  not  require 
the  prevision  of  a  prophet  to  divine  that,  according  to  the  common 
principles  of  progression,  the  continuance  of  this  condition  of  things 
to  a  not  very  distant  period,  must  eild  in  the  entire  dissolution  of  their 
party  and  the  perpetual  establishment  of  that  of  their  opponents. 

If  they  could  have  had  any  certain  prospect  of  success,  it  is  likely 


106  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

that  they  would  have  been  willing  to  destroy  the  Masonic  existence  of 
these  intruders — to  have  expelled  every  Ancient  York  Mason  in  their 
jurisdiction,  as  clandestine  and  schismatic,  and  thus  to  have  had  the 
whole  field  to  themselves.  It  is  not  at  ah  improbable  that  this  was  the 
real  feeling  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
York  Masons  in  1787,-  and  during  the  years  that  it  was  growing  in 
strength  and  numbers,  while  that  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masous 
was  diminishing  in  both. 

But  the  Free  and  Accepted  Grand  Lodge  was  not  strong  enough  to 
do  this.  I  am  afraid  that  it  did  not  have  onergy  enough  to  think  of 
attempting  it.  The  first  instance  of  the  expulsion  of  the  members  of 
a  recusant  Ltd^e  was  in  1^09,  when  this  punishm:nt  was  inflicted  by 
the  new  Grand  Lodge  of  South  larolina  on  the  members  of  St.  John's 
Lodge  No.  31.  Hut  at  that  lim-'  the  Grand  Lodge  was  composed  both 
of  Free  and  Accepted  and  Ancient  York  Masons,  who  had  lately  united 
together,  and  I  cannot  hesitate  to  attribute  the  determined  and  resolute 
action  of  March  20,  1K09,  to  the  councils  and  influence  of  the  latter. 

But  there  was  another  way  in  which  the  rivalry  might  be  extin- 
guished. And  that  was  by  a  union  of  both  bodies  and  the  establish- 
ment of  one  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State. 

Now  as  there  is  more  strength  in  union  than  in  division — more 
pleasure  in  harmony  than  in  discord — it  is  not  to  be  doubted,  that  the 
York  Masons  would  be  as  ready  to  meet  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
in  any  measure  of  this  kind,  as  the  latter  would  be  to  offer  it. 

But  a  union  of  two  such  discordant  elements  could  not  be  effected 
except  by  some  abandonment  of  principle  in  one  party  or  the  other,  or 
in  both.  The  Ancients  and  the  Moderns  could  not  come  together  and 
work  under  the  same  system,  unless  the  Ancients  adapted  that  of  the 
Moderns,  or  the  Moderns  that  of  the  Ancients,  or  each  retained  a  part 
of  its  own  with  another  part  of  the  other's,  or  lastly,  unless  they  in- 
vented an  entirely  new  system. 

Such,  a  few  years  later,  was  the  case  in  England,  when  at  the  union 
of  the  two  Gran  J  Lodges  it  was  found  necessary  to  appoint  a  "Lodge 
of  Reconciliation"  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the  two  kinds  of  work, 
and  the  old  Prestonian  Lectures  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
having  been  abolished,  Dr.  Henning  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  new 
system. 

Now,  in  South  Carolina,  we  have  too  many  evidenses  remaining  of 
the  pertinacity  with  which  the  Ancient  Yorks  adhered  to  their  own 
peculiar  system  to  permit  us  to  suppose  that  they  had  any  disposition 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  107 

to  adopt  a  compromise  which  would  involve  an  abandonment  of  their 
own  peculiar  and  cherished  system. 

Arguing  then,  a  priori,  we  are  lei  to  conclude  that  the  Ancient 
York  Masons  did  not  yield  any  appreciable  part  of  their  work  or 
discipline  in  going  into  the  union,  and  judging  from  what  wo  know  of 
the  subsequent  condition  of  Masonry  in  Carolina,  we  cjme  by  an  argu- 
ment, a  pvstrriori,  to  the  same  conclusion. 

And  why  should  the  Ancient  Yorka  have  yielded  anything  of  a 
material  nature  lor  the  sake  of  this  union  ?  They  were  already  in  the 
ascendancy.  A  longer  separation  could  do  them  no  injury.  If  either 
body  was  to  fall  into  decay  by  a  continuance  of  the  antagonism,  it 
would  surely  be  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  That  body  was 
already  reduced  to  a  state  of  great  weakness.  It  c:msi:-ted  of  a  few 
Lodges  in  the  city,  with  scarcely  one  in  the  country.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  York  Masons  had  possession  of  the  whole  State  outside  of 
Charleston,  and  in  the  city  they  were  in  the  m;  jority,  both  as  to  the 
number  of  Lodges  and  the  number  of  me  iibers. 

Tl  e  union  was  clearly  necessary  to  the  prosperity  and  even  the  con- 
tinued existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
aud  it  there  was  to  be  any  yielding  at  all  of  principle,  or  any  change 
of  work,  that  yielding  and  that  change  would  naturally  be  expected  to 
proceed  from  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  who  were  to  receive  the 
uiost  advantage  from  the  union. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  only  allusion  to  the  work  which  is  con- 
tained in  the  articles  of  union  is  the  one  which  provides  that  a  Com- 
mittee of  Inspectors  should  be  appointed  to  instruct  the  several  Lodges. 
When  that  committee  was  appointed,  three  of  them  were  taken  from 
the  Ancients,  of  whom  the  chairman  was  one,  that  position  being 
occupied  by  Benjamin  Cudworth,  a  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Ancient 
York  Grand  Lodge. 

Under  such  auspices  it  is  easy  to  divine  what  sort  of  instruction 
would  be  given. 

We  know,  too,  that  Anderson's  "Constitutions,"  which  had  been 
the  authoritative  code  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  was  now  abandoned,  and  that  the  new  Grand  Lodge  made  use 
of  Dalchu's  "Ahiman  Kezon."  Now  this  was  simply  a  commentary 
on,  and  in  many  portions  a  mere  compilation  from,  the  "Ahiman 
llezon,"  of  Laurence  Dermott.  This  had  always  been  the  "  Hook  of 
Constitutions"  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  the  use  of  it  by  the 
new  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  is  a  pregnant  evidence  that  in 


lQg  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASON R\ 

going  into  the  union  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  had  altogether 
abandoned  the  system  of  Masonic  jurisprudence  and  discipline  to  which 
they  had  been  accustomed. 

"We  cannot  of  course  get  possession  of  the  same  sort  of  tangible 
evidence  that  they  had  abandoned,  with  equal  facility,  their  old  work, 
but  the  readiness  with  which  they  yielded  in  the  question  of  discipline 
would  lead  us  to  believe  that  they  were  not  likely  to  make  a  more 
determined  stand  for  the  preservation  of  their  work  and  ritual.  But, 
in  fact,  we  have  positive  evidence  on  this  subject.  When  the  uniou 
of  1817  took  place,  Thomas  W.  Bacot  was  elected  Grand  Master  of 
the  United  Grand  Lodge,  and  delivered  an  inaugural  address  on  that 
occasion.  Brother  Bacot  was  a  man  of  much  intelligence,  and  was 
personally  conversant  with  the  condition  of  things  in  the  year  1808. 
Now  in  that  address,  speaking  of  the  union  of  1808,  he  used  this 
language:  "The  number  of  'Free  and  Accepted'  being  very  few, 
compared  with  that  of  the  'Ancient  York'  Masons,  the  '  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina'  adopted  the  mode  of  work,  &o.,  entire,  of  the 
latter."     This  sets  the  question  at  rest. 

The  committee  of  this  new  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  were 
therefore  justified  by  the  record  when,  in  1809,  while  sending  a  "  Letter 
to  the  Seceding  Masons,"  they  said  that  "by  the  abolition  of  Modern 
Lodges,  there  is  not  at  present  a  single  person  of  that  denomination  in 
the  State." 

It  was  true.  The  old  Masonry  derived  from  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge,  which  had  been  fouuded  in  1736  by  the  regular  Grand  Lodge 
of  England,  was  extinct.  And,  although  from  1809  to  1817  there 
were  two  contending  Grand  Lodges,  they  were  no  longer  the  represen- 
tatives of  "  Ancient"  and  "Modern"  Masonry — of  two  parties,  the 
"  Yorks"  and  the  "Free  and  Accepted" — of  two  disciplines,  the  "Der- 
mott"  and  the  "Anderson" — but  were  both  Ancient  York  Lodges, 
separating  only  on  a  single  point,  the  refusal  of  the  Seceders  to  take 
an  additional  test,  which  the  others  insisted  on  administering,  and  the 
regulation  imposing  which  was  aftei wards  repealed  by  the  latter  party 
as  being  illegal,  or  at  least  uunecessar  . 

It  is  not  therefore  surprising  that  when  at  length  in  1817  the  per- 
manent union  took  place,  the  Committees  of  Inspection,  appointed  by 
the  two  Grand  Lodges,  namely,  the  one  formed  in  1808  and  the  one 
revived  in  1809,  should  have  reported  "  that  there  exists  no  difference 
in  the  mode  of  entering,  passing  and  raising,  instructing,  obligating 
and  clothing  brothers  in  the  respective  Grand  Lodges." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLES  \.  109 

Of  course,  how  could  there  be  any  such  difference  when  both  bodies 
worked  according  to  the  Ancient  York  system. 

Well,  if  such  were  the  facts,  what  was  the  effect  on  the  condition  of 
Masonry  in  the  State.  No  one  who  has  not  closely  investigated  the 
subject  can  at  all  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  these  results. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  as  to  the  work.  As  nearly  all  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  Uuited  States,  at  that  time  existing,  had  derived  their 
ritual  with  the  warrants  of  their  Lodges  from  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge, 
or  from  some  of  its  collaborators,  and  as,  even  where  such  was  not  the 
case,  Ancient  York  Masonry  had  penetrated  with  its  influences,  and,  to 
some  extent,  infused  the  elements  of  its  system  into  the  Order,  the 
Masons  of  South  Carolina,  by  the  adoption  of  the  Ancient  York  work, 
were  placed  in  uniformity  with  their  brethren  of  other  States.  The 
American  system  prevailed  here  as  it  did  elsewhere,  so  that  by  the 
operation  of  this  cause  there  is,  at  this  day,  a  greater  uniformity  in 
work  between  the  Lodges  of  South  Carolina  and  those  of  New  York, 
although  almost  at  the  two  extremities  of  the  American  States,  than 
there  is  betweeo  the  Lodges  of  New  York  and  those  of  Canada, 
although  only  separated  by  a  river. 

In  so  far  as  the  work  was  concerned,  the  influence  of  the  union  of 
1808  was  for  good. 

But,  as  to  discipline,  the  result  was  not  so  happy.  The  thirty-nine 
regulations  which  had  been  adopted  in  1723,  and  which  embraced  the 
most  important  legal  landmarks,  were,  of  course,  abandoned  with  the 
abandonment  of  Anderson's  Constitutions  which  contained  them,  and 
for  them  were  substituted  the  innovations  of  Dermott's  Ahiman  Rezon, 
with  all  his  new  regulations.  And  thus,  among  other  evils,  the 
requirement  of  two  black  balls  to  reject  a  candidate,  the  admission  of 
Past  Masters  into  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  substitu- 
tion of  proxies  for  the  legal  representatives  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges, 
were  introduced  into  the  Masonic  Constitution  of  South  Carolina  as 
parts  of  the  Ancient  York  system  of  discipline.  And  it  was  not  until 
a  few  years  ago  that  under  the  strong  efforts  of  a  reformation,  inaugu- 
rated in  1850,  these  evils  began  to  disappear,  so  that  in  1860  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  able  to  shake  off  the  improper  influences,  in  this 
respect,  of  the  union  of  1808. 

In  so  far,  therefore,  as  the  discipline  was  concerned,  the  influence  of 
"  the  union  of  1808  was  for  evil. 

After  this  long  digression,  it  is  time  to  return  to  the  facts  of  history. 

Several  of  the  Grand  Lodges   of  the  United  States  expressed  un- 


HO  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

favorable  op'nions  of  the  basis  on  which  the  union  of  the  two  bodies 
in  South  Carolina  had  been  cemented,  and  .some  of  them  took  occasion 
to  censure  the  new  Grand  Lodge  in  terms  that  were  far  from  beiu<r 
Courteous. 

Thus  on  the  1st  of  May,  1809,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland 
adopted  the  following  preamble  ai.d  resolutions: 

"The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  viewing  with  abhorrence,  t;  ingl  d 
wit:  sincere  regret,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  forgetting 
the  anc  ent  landmarks  and  boundary  lines  of  our  honorable  Order,  and 
losing  sight  of  those  obligations  which  have  fur  time  immemorial 
bound  us  in  the  strongest  chains  of  brotherly  affection,  have  united 
themselves  with  a  set  of  men,  who,  however  honorable  or  praiseworthy 
they  may  be,  cannot  be  considered  by  us  as  Masons;  and  noticing  at 
the  same  time,  with  the  most  unfeigned  satisfaction,  the  firm  and  vir- 
tuous opposition  which  has  been  made  to  this  unwarrantable  step,  by 
St.  John's  Lodge  No.  Ul,  A.  Y.  M,  to  Charleston,  do  therefore  •  ud 
hereby  Resolve, 

"  1st.  That  the  R.  W.  G.  Lodge  of  Maryland  cannot  consistently 
with  their  sense  of  duty  as  Masons,  hold  any  further  communication 
with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina." 

On  the  3rd  of  June,  1800,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  expressed 
its  surprise  "how  Modern  Masons,  as  such,  could  enter  a  Lodge  the 
members  of  which  had  taken  the  obligations  of  Ancient  York  Masons," 
and  it  ordered  the  different  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction  "to  examine 
with  the  utmost  strictness,  all  visitors,  and  to  receive  none  as  such,  but 
under  the  test  of  having  received  their  degrees  in  a  regularly  consti- 
tuted Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  agreeably  to  the  Ancient^ 
form." 

On  the  30th  of  October,  1809,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  passed 
a  resolution  : 

"That  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky,  with  extreme  regret,  con- 
template the  wanderings  of  the  Lodge,  calling  itself  'The  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina;'  yet  we  are  entirely  unwilling  and  cannot  alter  or 
transcend  our  Ancient  York  Masonic  limits.  Hence  we  are  constrained 
to  take  a  distant  leave  of  those  who  have  wantonly  strayed." 

The  Grand  Lodge  at  the  same  time  "congratulated  their  brethren 
who  had  withstood  the  anti-Masonic  gale,  and  were  restoring  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  in  South  Carolina." 

And  still  later,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1810,  a  committee  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  reported,  "that  they  were  of  opinion  that  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  HI 

proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  South 
Carolina,  in  forming  the  union,  had  been  in  the  most  essential  parts 
irregular,  inconsistent  with  the  principles  and  practice  of  the  Craft, 
and  with  the  union,  harmony,  and  brotherly  duties,  which  should 
always  subsist  between  a  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Subordinate  Lodges 
under  its  jurisdiction,  which  make  a  component  part  of  the  said  Grand 
Lodge;  and  cannot  be  justified  under  any  pre.ence  whatsoever, 
especially  as  they  are  an  absolute  removal  of  i  ur  Ancient  landmarks." 

The  Committee  also  reported,  that  the  said  Grand  Lodge  "appear  to 
them  to  have  established  what  the  Committee  deem  a  iVVw  Onhr, 
variant  from  that  of  both  Ancient  York  and  of  M  dern  Masons,  inas- 
much as  they  established  terms  of  recognition  and  fellowship  unknown 
to  either." 

The  Committee,  therefore,  reported  resolutions  approving  of  the 
conduct  of  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  81,  and  the  fifteen  other  Lodges 
which  had  reorganized  and  perpetuated  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  declaring  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  "  could  not  acknowledge  nor  hold  any  communication 
with  the  new  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina." 

The  r  port  and  resolutions  were  adopted. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  made  the  most  elaborate  investigation 
of  the  subject,  and  on  the  13th  of  December,  1800,  afrer  acknowledg- 
ing the  receipt  of  several  communications  from  both  parties,  adopted 
the  following  resolutions  : 

"  On  the  foregoing  subjects,  this  Grand  Lodge  premises  that,  when 
the  members  composing  it  read,  at  its  last  annual  session,  the  first 
communication,  dated  'Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina,  October  4th, 
5808,'  they  were  so  much  astonished,  both  at  its  form  and  substance, 
that  they  could  not  credit  its  authenticity.  It  apprized  them,  in  sub- 
stance, that  the  body  called  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  A.  Y. 
M.  had  not  only  admitted  iito  their  society  persons  called  Modern 
Masons,  but  had  actually  incorporated  and  identified  themselves  with 
those  persons.  It  announced  this  information  in  terms  deemed  by  this 
Grand  Lodge  utterly  repugnant  to  all  the  principles  of  Free  Masonry. 
They  could  not  believe  that  a  society  so  respectable  and  enlightened,  as 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina  A.  V.  M.  had  always  been 
esteemed,  could  sanction  so  dangerous  and  unwarrantable  an  innova- 
tion; but  subscqueut  co:nmuuicatk  ns  have  too  clearly  proved  that  it 
Was  autheutic. 


J  12  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"After  the  most  mature  deliberation,  this  Grand  Lodge  lias  come  to 
the  following  Resolutions : 

"  1.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  while  we  deeply  deplore  the  ne- 
cessity of  expressing  our  sentiments  en  this  all  important  subject,  we 
hold  it  to  be  our  duty,  as  Masons,  not  to  shrink  from  the  unpleasaut  task. 

"  That  any  number  of  individuals  may  form  themselves  into  a 
Society  and  prescribe  their  own  mode  and  terms  of  admission  into  that 
Society,  is  a  principle  not  to  be  questioned,  and  while  they  conform  to 
the  laws  of  the  State  in  which  they  reside,  neither  the  civil  authority 
nor  any  other  Society,  nor  individual,  ought  to  interfere  with  or  dis- 
turb their  deliberations.  But  we  hold  it  a  principle  equally  clear  that 
every  individual  has  the  right  of  determining  whether  he  will  become 
a  member  of  that  Society,  and  that  any  other  Society  may  decide 
whether  they  will  fraternise  with  it  or  not. 

"2.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  conduct  of  the  body  of  men 
styling  themselves  '  The  Grand  Lodge  of  -South-Carolina,'  in  adoptiug 
the  said  act  of  incorporation  and  union,  with  persons  called  Modern 
Masons,  is  a  removal  of  the  land-marks  of  A.  Y.  Masons,  a  departure 
from  the  first  principles  of  our  society,  and  a  palpable  violation  of  the 
most  sacred  duties  incumbent  on  all  A.  Y.  Masons.  Without  ques- 
tioning the  purity  of  the  motives  of  those  who  adopted  the  said  act  of 
incorporation  and  union,  we  cannot,  as  A.  Y.  Masons,  acknowledge 
any  association,  the  rules  of  admission  into  which  deviate  from  those  of 
our  own  society;  nor  can  we  fraternise  with  the  members  of  that  asso- 
ciation, however  respectable  the  men  may  be  of  whom  it   is  composed. 

"3.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  do  highly 
approve  of  the  truly  Masonic,  firm,  wis£,  and  virtuous  couduct  of  St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  31,  of  Charleston,  South-Caroliua,  and  the  other 
Lodges  associated  with  it,  in  resisting  the  said  dangerous  innovation, 
and  adhering  to  the  ancient  land-marks  and  principles  of  our  institu- 
tion, and  that  this  Grand  Lodge  will,  with  sincere  pleasure,  interchange 
communications  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  Masons,  established 
in  South-Carolina,  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31,  and  the  other  Lodges 
associated  with  it. 

"4.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  it  be,  and  it  is  hereby,  specially  re- 
commended to  the  Lodges,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
to  be  particularly  scrupulous  in  the  examination  of  all  visitors,  and  to 
admit  none  who  may,  in  any  way,  have  departed  from  the  duties  and 
workings  of  Ancient  Y.  Masons. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  113 

"  5  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  directed  to  send  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  to  St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  31,  Charleston,  to  the  Graud  Lodge  of  South  Caro- 
lina A.  Y.  Masons,  to  all  the  Grand  Lodges  in  correspondence  with 
this  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  of  Charleston." 

The  reader  will  notice  the  care  with  wlrch  they  omit,  in  the  last 
resolution,  all  official  recognition  of  the  new  Graud  Lodge,  but  order 
the  result  of  their  deliberations  to  be  sent  to  "Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho, 
of  Charleston,"  who  was,  it  will  be  recollected,  the  Corresponding 
Grand  Secretary  of  that  body. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Hampshire  seems  to  have  been  the  only 
body  that  sought  to  pour  oil  upon  the  troubled  waters.  It  addressed  a 
communication  to  the  brethren  of  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31,  a  copy  of 
which  was  also  sent  to  the  new  Grand  Lodge.  This  communication, 
signed  by  L.  Spalding,  Grand  Secretary,  is  in  these  words  : 

"  Worshipful  Sir  &  Brothers  : 

"  We,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire,  have  re- 
ceived your  two  communications  of  January  7th  &  March  9th,  of  the 
present  year,  and  have  commanded  our  Grand  Secretary  to  say,  in 
answer  thereto,  that  we  sincerely  lament  the  misunderstanding  that 
appears  to  exist  between  your  Lodge  and  the  Supreme  Masonic  juris- 
diction in  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  we  sincerely  hope  that  the 
same  will  be  soon  amicably  adjusted  as  the  only  means  by  which  Ma- 
sonry can  be  rendered  respectable  in  the  State.  There  must  be  no 
schism  in  the  household  of  the  righteous;  a  house  divided  against 
itself  will  fall.  In  the  Northern  States  we  know  and  make  no  distinc- 
tions, we  are  all  Columbian  Masons,  we  loath  and  abhor  party  distinc- 
tions, they  have  been  a  long  time  since  done  away.  It  was  the  darling 
object  of  our  late  most  worthy  Grand  Master  to  abolish  the  distinction 
of  Ancient  and  Modern  Masons,  and  substitute  Columbian  Masons. 
Masonry  is  one  and  universal. 

"  We  sincerely  hope,  that  long  before  this  can  reach  you,  that  all 
misunderstandings  will  have  been  amicably  settled  to  the  perfect  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned;  this,  we  think,  can  be  done  very  easily,  as 
there  is,  and  ought  to  be,  a  spirit  of  brotherly  love  existing  on  both 
sides.  There  is  but  one  right  and  one  wrong  side  in  this  affair.  You 
both  have  Masonic  and  moral  information  enough,  if  you  throw  aside 
prejudice,  to  judge  aright,  and  you  have  virtue  enough  to  act  aright, 
which,  when  done,  aud  you  only  can  do  it,  will  place  Masonry  on  a 
8 


214  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

never  failing  basis,  which  is  the  wish,  hopes  and  expectation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Newhauipshirc. 

L.   SPALDING,  G.    Secretary." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Hampshire  expressed 
no  opinion  of  the  true  merits  of  the  question.  It,  however,  did  not 
withdraw  from  communion  with  the  new  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Caro- 
lina. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1809,  "a  number  of  Past  Masters  and  others" 
assembled  at  Mead's  Hotel,  in  Charleston,  which  was,  at  that  time,  the 
usual  place  of  meeting  of  the  Ma-sonic  bodies,  when  Judge  William 
Smith  was  installed  as  Grand  Master  of  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina.  The  other  officers  were 
installed  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  held  at  the 
same  place  on  the  7th  of  June  following. 

At  this  communication  of  the  7th  of  June,  1809,  the  revived  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancieut  York  Masons  appeared  resolved  to  act  with  more 
energy  than  forbearance.  It  accordingly  expelled  the  officers  and 
members  of  Lodges  No.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  8,  11,  14,  45  and  51,  "together 
with  all  other  Ancient  Masons  that  had  taken  the  test  oath  or  in  any 
way  worked  ia  an  illegal  or  unmasonic  manner,  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons." 

The  Lodges  above  named  were  all  Ancient  York  Lodges  of  the  city 
of  Charleston,  which  had  united  with  the  new  Grand  Lodge.  Not  a 
single  Lodge  in  the  country  had  given  in  its  adhesion  to  the  new  body, 
but  all  recognized  allegiance  to  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons. 

On  the  29th  of  November,  1809,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons  held  a  quarterly  communication  at  Columbia,  on  which  occa- 
sion a  new  code  of  by-laws  was  adopted. 

At  this  time  some  of  the  Lodges  and  many  of  the  brethren  who  had 
at  first  united  with  the  new  Grand  Lodge,  began  already  to  feel  doubts 
of  the  correctness  of  their  conduct,  and  expressed  a  disposition  lo  re- 
turn to  their  primitive  allegiance  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons.  To  meet  these  views  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

"  Whereas,  many  Masons,  once  highly  respected  members  of  Lodges 
constituted  under  the  Grand  Lodge,  have  alienated  themselves  by 
incautiously  adopting  principles  infringing  upo  i  the  great  landmarks 
of  Ancient  York  Masons,  and,  by  uniting  with  Lodges  unknown  to  this, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  H5 

have  precipitated  themselves  from  that  once  usual  intercourse  and  fra- 
ternal concord  which,  from  time  immemorial,  has  eminently  distin- 
guished and  dignified  our  valuable  institution  ;  but  who,  viewing  with 
regret  and  contrition  the  unhappy  schism  thereby  created,  arc  anxiously 
disposed  to  return  and  earnestly  solicit  re-admission  into  our  Ancient 
Order:  The  Grand  Lodge,  duly  impressed  with  the  great  importance 
of  enabling  such  again  to  participate  in  the  benefits  and  privileges  of 
the  true  craft,  while  it  sympathises  in  the  unhappy  cause  of  disunion, 
is  constrained  to  believe  that  they  surrendered  the  reins  of  their  better 
judgments  into  hands  unworthy  of  the  sacred  trust,  and  were  unhap- 
pily, though  not  criminally,  misled. 

'•  Therefore,  Resolved.,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  for  the  purpose 
of  receiving  applications  from  such  Lodges  or  brethren  as  may  be  de- 
sirous of  coming  again  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
with  instructions  to  report  immediately  thereon." 

Soon  after  these  events,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  seeing 
the  dislike  which  was  entertained  by  all  classes  for  the  test  oath, 
abolished  that  objectionable  feature,  and  in  1811  we  find  that  body 
accused  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  "enticing 
individuals"  who  were  members  of  the  York  Masons  into  their  com- 
munion. As  the  preamble  and  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  to  counteract  these  measures  of  the 
United  Grand  Lodge,  detail  an  important  part  of  the  Masonic  history 
of  the  period,  and  as  I  know  of  but  a  single  copy  of  the  circular  con- 
taining them  to  be  in  existence,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  publish  it  in  full. 
It  is  dated  "Charleston,  16th  May,  1812,"  and  is  in  these  words, 
being  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  held  on  the  4th  of  the 
preceding  December: 

"  Whereas  it  has  been  the  practice  of  late  for  a  body  calling  them- 
selves the  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina,  and  Supreme  Court  of 
Appeals  and  sole  Masonick  jurisdiction  of  the  State  aforesaid;  the 
principal  part  of  the  Members  composing  the  said  Association,  having 
been  legally  and  Constitutionally  Expelled  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  for  a 
breach  of  our  old  Constitution,  in  joining  illegally,  unlawfully,  &  con- 
trary to  our  Ancient  usages  and  most  sacred  customs,  with  men  that 
we  could  not,  and  do  not  acknowledge  as  Maso::s,  or  admit  into  our 
Ancient  Lodges,  have  been  interfering  by  enticing  persons  into  not 
only  their  Subordinate,  but  even  their  pretended  Grand  Lodge,  for  the 
purpose  of  weaning  their  affections  by  making  a  number  of  wrong 
statements.     Fiuding  the  Craft  firm   in  not  taking  a  very  new  and 


[10  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

modern  tenet,  they  have  abolished  the  same;  and  now  finding  16 
impossible  to  persuade  whole  Lodges,  have  taken  the  method  of 
enticing  the  Individual  Members  of  the  same;  making  statements  to 
them  of  their  having  done  all  things  in  order,  and  professing  to  be  the 
true  and  only  Craft,  although  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  South-Carolina 
aforesaid,  have  themselves  declared  in  their  Pamphlet  that  they  are 
neither  Modern  nor  Ancient  York  Masons,  but  have  a  mode  peculiar 
to  themselves,  in  order  to  raise  a  further  rebellion  in  the  true  Ancient 
Craft,  to  the  injury  not  only  of  this  Body,  but  of  all  faithful  Masons 
throughout  the  globe.  Therefore,  .for  the  future  abolishiug  of  this 
illegal  and  unjust  proceeding,  and  for  the  information  of  all  our 
Brethren,  it  is  improper  to  visit  or  sit  in  a  Lodge,  or  with  a  body  of 
men  that  have  been  expelled  as  aforesaid. 

"  Therefore  Resolved,  That  from  and  after  passing  the  following 
Besolves,  if  any  Officer  or  Member  of  this  Grand  Lodge  shall  sit  or 
assist  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Suuth-Carolina,  or  any  of  their  Subordi- 
nate Lodges,  he  shall  be  expelled  for  the  same,  or  otherwise  dealt  with  as 
a  Majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  see  best,  agreeably  to  the  offence. 

"Resolved,  That  all  the  Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction  do  examine 
with  all  due  strictness,  that  all  visiters  have  been  regularly  entered, 
past,  and  raised,  in  a  regularly  Constituted  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons;  that  they  are  not  under  the  pretended  Grand  Lodge  of  South- 
Carolina;  and  that  they  were  not  a  Member  or  Members  of  other  of 
the  Lodges,  who  had  been  expelled  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons,  for  improperly  joining  with  Modern  Masons,  or  even 
taking  the  Test  which  was  proposed  by  the  secedcrs  of  the  Ancient 
Craft,  called  an  Oath  of  Secrecy;  and  that  they  are  not  known,  or 
ever  were  in  anywise  under  their  jurisdiction. 

li  Resolved,  That  in  case  any  of  the  Officers  or  Members  of  the 
Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction  should  visit  or  sit  with  them,  in  any  of 
their  Lodges,  they  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  case  of  the  Grand  Officers 
or  Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"  On  motion  Resolved,  That  the  above  Resolutions  be  printed  by 
the  Corresponding  Committee,  and  sent  to  the  different  Lodges  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  the  Grand  Lodges  cor- 
responding with  the  same." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  when  the  union  took  place  in  1808,  the 
first  of  the  articles  of  union  provided  that  the  two  Grand  Lodges  should, 
by  joint  petition,  pray  the  Legislature,  at  its  next  session,  to  revoke  the 
charters  of  incorporation,  heretofore  granted  to  them  respectively,  and 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  117 

to  incorporate  them  into  one  body,  to  be  known  as  the  "  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina." 

The  whole  of  this  provision  was  never  carried  out.  The  revival  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  prevented  the  presentation 
of  any  petitiou  for  the  abrogation  of  its  charter,  and  it  was  not  until 
the  year  1814  that  a  charter  of  incorporation  was  granted  to  the  new 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 

At  that  time  the  large  majority  of  the  Masons  who  were  members'of 
the  Legislature,  were  attached  to  the  Ancient  York  party,  and  strenu- 
ous exertions  were  made  in  opposition  to  the  incorporation  of  the  new 
body.  The  act  was,  however,  at  length  passed  on  the  20th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1814. 

The  provisions  of  the  act  of  incorporation  were,  in  general  respects, 
similar  to  those  of  former  acts.  Lut  the  evidence  of  the  success  of  the 
opposition  was  shewn  in  the  second  section,  which  confirmed  all  the 
property  belonging,  at  the  passing  of  the  act,  to  any  Subordinate  Lodge, 
to  the  said  Lodge,  "  free  from  any  control,  superintendence  or  direction 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina." 

I  have  no  doubt  that  this  clause  was  inserted  with  the  view  of  pro- 
tecting from  forfeiture  the  property  of  any  Lodge  which  might  subse- 
quently secede  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  return  to 
its  allegiance  to  the  Ancient  York  Graud  Lodge. 

Another  clause  in  this  section  shows  that  the  influence  of  the  York 
Masons  had  been  successfully  exerted  in  the  framing  of  the  bill.  It  is 
in  these  words  :  "Provided  always,  nevertheless,  that  nothing  herein 
oontained  shall  affect  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons." 

The  insertion  of  this  clause  and  the  object  of  its  insertion,  did  not 
escape  the  penetration  of  the  members  of  the  new  Grand  Lodge.  John 
S.  Cogdell,  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary,  writing  from  Columbia 
at  the  time  to  Thomas  W.  Bacot,  the  Crand  Master  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  to  announce  the  passage  of  the  act  of  in- 
corporation, alludes  to  the  opposition  in  the  following  language: 

"  It  is  with  extreme  delight  I  now  inform  you  that  after  some  oppo- 
sition from  a  source  I  trust  about  to  be  less  hostile  than  heretofore,  I  was 
euabled  to  succeed  in  obtaining  the  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina,  in  conformity  to  the  directions  aud  trust  confided  iu 
me  by  the  officers  and  members  of  the  said  Graud  Lodge.  A  proviso 
was,  however,  added  to  the  bi'l  by  the  opposition,  in  itself  useless,  and, 
I  add,  harmless,  inasmuch  as  it  provides  that  nothing  in  the  charter 


jig  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

now  granted  should  interefere  with  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Grand 
Lod^e  of  S.  C.  A.  Y.  Masons.  This  was  not  the  object  of  the  petition- 
ers before  the  House,  nor  could  such  an  act  have  been  binding  on  the 
members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  Masons  had  the  petitioners 
even  desired,  or  could  they  have  obtained  such  a  charter.  The,  hour 
is  at  hand,  I  devoutly  hope,  when  the  Craft  of  South  Carolina  will 
walk  within  the  same  compass,  acknowledge  themselves  of  but  one 
family,  and,  under  the  auspices  of  our  Divine  Architect,  unite  their 
efforts  for  the  benefit  of  Masonry  throughout  the  globe." 

The  predictions  of  the  writer  of  this  letter  were  not  made  at  ran- 
dom. At  least  they  were  soon  fulfilled.  Three  years  after,  the  Masons 
of  South  Carolina,  impatient  of  the  longer  presence  of  a  spirit  of  dis- 
cord which  had  for  so  many  years  distracted  the  jurisdiction,  impaired 
the  usefulness  and  derogated  from  the  honor  and  dignity  of  their 
ancient  fraternity,  determined  to  organize  a  union  on  a  more  subslan- 
tial  and  permanent  basis.  The  result  was,  the  union  tff  1817,  under 
which  the  Order  is  now  existing. 

But  the  history  of  the  events  which  led  to  that  union,  and  that  of 
the  transaction  itself,  are  important  enough  to  demand  a  new  chapter. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  H9 


CHAPTER  X. 

TIIE   UNION    IN    1817. 

Next  to  the  year  1730,  which  witnessed  the  introduction  of  the 
0:dcr  into  the  State,  and  the  organization  for  the  first  time  of  a  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodge,  the  year  1817  becomes,  perhaps,  the  most  im- 
portant in  the  history  of  Masonry  in  this  jurisdiction,  for  it  is  the  era 
in  which  we  arc  to  record  the  annihilation  forever  of  all  bitter  feeling 
between  the  "Ancient"  and  the  "Modern"  Lodges,  or  the  "York" 
and  the  "  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,"  the  dissolution  of  the  two 
rival  Grand  Lodges,  which  for  so  many  years  had  represented  these 
adverse  parties,  and  the  formation  in  their  place  of  a  United  Grand 
Lodge  on  articles  of  compromise,  of  whose  perpetuity,  in  that  sense 
of  the  word  which  is  applicable  to  all  mundane  affairs,  there  can  be 
no  doubt.  The  example  of  peace  and  concord  had  been  exhibited  in 
England  four  years  before  by  the  uuion  of  the  two  contending  Grand 
Lodges  in  that  jurisdiction  in  December,  1813,  and  as  far  back  as 
1792,  the  discordant  elements  of  two  Masonic  heads  had  been  erased 
from  the  history  of  Massachusetts  Masonry.  South  Carolina  was,  in 
fact,  now  the  only  State  in  the  Union,  and,  if  we  except  the  Kingdom 
of  France,  the  .only  jurisdiction  in  the  world,  where  the  house  of 
Masonry  was  divided  against  itself. 

Notwithstanding  the  disruption  of  the  temporary  union  of  1808, 
the  good  seed  of  future  reconciliation  had  been  left  behind,  and  was 
again,  in  less  than  nine  years,  to  shoot  forth  into  the  goodly  plant  of 
concord.  In  fact,  that  brief  union  may  be  snid,  as  I  think  I  have 
already  shown,  to  have  prepared  the  way  fur  the  more  permanent  one, 
whose  history  we  arc  now  about  to  review.  Ancient  York  Masonry,  or 
that  Masonry  which  was  derived  from  the  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of 
England,  had  long  been  the  must  popular,  and  the  predominating 
Masonry  of  the  State,  as  in  fact  it  had  bean  of  almost  every  State  in 
the  Union.  By  the  union  in  1808,  many  of  the  York  Lodges  had 
been  incorporated  into  the  legitimate  Grand  Lodge,  and,  as  we  have 
already  seen,  the  ritual  of  tin  Ancients  had  been  adopted  by  the  new 
Grand  Lodge,  to  the  utter  neglect  of  that  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  or 
Modern  Masons.     Notwithstanding  that  many  Lodges  of  York  Masons 


j  gg  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

in  1809  had  seceded  under  their  banner  bearer,  St.  John's  Lodge 
No.  31,  all,  except  two,  of  the  Lodges  in  the  city,  which  then  controlled 
the  ritual  of  the  State,  had  adopted  the  York  method  of  work  and 
remained  faithful  to  the  union.  The  u  Modern  "  element  in  the  new 
"Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina"  was  now  therefore  extinct,  and 
the  body  was  in  fact,  except  in  the  use  of  the  name,  a  York  Grand 
Lodge.  No  better  evidence  need  be  offered  of  this  than  the  fact  that 
the  most  objectionable  features  in  the  York  system  of  government,  the 
use  of  proxies  in  the  place  of  representatives,  and  the  admission  of 
Past  Masters  into  the  Grand  Lodge,  were,  on  the  consummation  of  the 
union,  at  once  introduced  into  the  constitution  of  the  new  Grand 
Lodge,  although  neither  of  these  pernicious  principles  had  been  pre- 
viously recognized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons. 

The  fact  is,  then,  that  in  1816,  when  renewed  efforts  began  to  be 
made  for  a  restoration  of  harmony  and  the  reestablishment  of  the 
union,  there  was  no  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Moderns  existing  in  the  State. 
There  were,  it  is  true,  two  Grand  Lodges,  but  actually  both  of  them 
might  be  considered  as  emanations  from  the  old  York  Masons,  now 
dead  everywhere  else,  except  in  South  Carolina.  The  legitimate 
Grand  Lodge  (by  which  I  mean,  that  Grand  Lodge  which  had  re- 
mained true  to  the  union  of  1808,)  had  adopted  the  ritual,  the  usages 
and  the  constitution  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons ;  it  had  iudeed,  by 
resolution,  accepted  the  Ahiman  llezon  of  Dr.  Dalcho,  compiled  and 
published  in  1807  for  the  use  of  the  York  Grand  Lodge,  as  its  Book  of 
Constitutions;  while  the  seceding  Grand  Lodge  openly  professed  to  be 
composed  of  York  Masons,  and  called  itself  by  that  distinctive  appel- 
lation. 

It  is  manifest,  then,  that  in  1816  the  promoters  of  concord  were 
relieved  from  one  labor,  that  of  breaking  down  the  asperities  and 
removing  the  prejudices  which  for  three-fourths  of  a  century  had 
existed  between  the  two  divisions  of  the  Masonic  family  on  the  im- 
portant and  vexed  question  of  the  ritual.  All  Masons  in  South  Caro- 
lina now  worked  from  the  same  trestle  board,  all  were  governed  by  the 
same  usages,  and  referred  to  the  same  Book  of  Constitutions.  Dalcho 
was  the  lawgiver  in  both  bodies,  and  his  opinion  equally  respected  by 
each.  The  only  questiou  now  was  one  of  expediency,  and  seeing  that 
the  problem  as  to  the  time  when  Masonry  should  be  united  under  one  head 
had  already  been  solved  in  every  other  jurisdiction,  the  leading  Masons 
of  both  parties  in  South  Carolina  came  to  the  happy  conclusion  that 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  121 

the  period   hnd  now  arrived  for  the  annihilation  of  all  discord  among 
the  .Masons  of  the  State. 

In  181 G  there  were,  therefore,  two  Grand  Lodges  existiug  in  South 
Carolina.  The  first  was  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  South  Caroliua."  I  use 
the  incorporated  name.  This  body  had  been  formed  in  1808  by  the 
union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges — that  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  which  dated  its  commencement  in  1736  as  a  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge — and  that  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons,  which  had  been  organ- 
ized in  1787  by  the  union  of  five  Ancient  Lodges.  The  second  Grand 
Lodge  existing  in  1816,  was  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina 
Ancient  York  Masons."  I  again  make  use  of  the  style  of  its  act  of  in- 
corporation. This  body  had  been  formed  in  1809  by  the  secession  of 
several  Ancient  York  Lodges  from  the  Graud  Lodge,  which  had  been 
established  by  the  union  in  1808. 

The  great  object  was  to  unite  these  two  contending  bodies  into  one, 
and,  to  that  object,  the  true  Masons  of  the  State,  belouging  to  either, 
begau  in  IS  16  seriously  to  direct  their  attention. 

In  that  year  each  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  appointed  a  committee, 
and  the  two  committees  were  charged  "to  meet  together  iu  free  and 
brotherly  conference  on  the  subject  of  an  anion  so  mutually. desirable." 
Of  this  joint  committee,  which  was  composed  of  prominent  members 
of  the  Order,  uainely:  David  Johnson  and  John  Geddes,  on  the  part 
of  the  York  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  of  Simon  Magwood,  Timothy  Ford 
and  John  S.  Cogdcll,  on  the  part  of  the  other  body,  several  meetings 
were  held.  Each  member  brought  to  the  deliberations,  as  the  contem- 
porary record  tells  us,  "a  true  Masonic  spirit,  and  a  reciprocal  desire 
to  bring  about  an  event  so  pleasing  to  the  hearts  of  all  good  Masons." 
This  spirit  was  promoted  aud  preserved  by  the  fact  already  stated,  that 
there  was  no  possibility  of  a  dissension  upon  the  subject  of  work.  As 
this  statement  is  of  some  importance,  it  is  proper  that  I  should  cite  the 
contemporary  authority  on  which  it  is  made  Thomas  W.  Bacot,  who 
was,  at  the  union  in  1817,  elected  the  Grand  Master  of  the  United 
Grand  Lodge,  and  who  was  also  a  party  to  the  abortive  union  in  1808, 
on  assuming  the  chair  in  1817  made  an  address  to  the  brethren.  The 
written  records  of  that  day  became  in  1838  a  prey  to  the  flames,  but, 
fortunately,  immediately  after  the  union,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
prepare  and  publish  an  official  history  of  these  transactions.  This 
duty  they  performed,  by  issuing  a  pamphlet  bearing  the  title  of  "  The 
Masonic  Ftmily  Re-united."  Time  has  disposed  of  most  of  tl 
of  this  work,  which  ifl  now  becoming  exceedingly  rare.      One  of  th<  in  is. 


122  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOXRY 

however,  now  lying  before  me,  and  to  it  am  I  indebted  for  the  state- 
ment I  am  now  about  to  make. 

At  the  time  of  the  union  in  1817,  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Bacot  was  elected 
the  Grand  Master  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge.  This  gentleman  had 
also  been  a  party  to  the  previous  but  abortive  union  in  1808,  and  was 
familiar  with  all  the  circumstances  connected  with  it.  No  better 
authority  for  any  statement  relating  to  that  period  could  be  needed. 
Bacot  had  also  paid  much  attention  to  the  ritualistic  part  of  Masonry, 
and  in  his  eagerness  to  acquire  knowledge  of  its  esoteric  principles  had 
warmly  cultivated  the  high  degrees,  not  only  of  the  York,  but  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rhc.  He  is  to  be  looked  upon,  therjfore,  as 
one  speaking  understandingly. 

In  an  inaugural  address  delivered  by  him  before  the  United  Grand 
Lodge,  when  taking  the  chair,  on  the  27th  of  December,  1817,  he 
used  this  language.  Speaking  of  the  condition  of  the  two  parties  in 
1808,  he  says: 

"  The  number  of  '  Free  and  x\eccpted '  being  very  few  compared 
with  that  of  the  'Ancient  York'  Masons,  the  'Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina!  [that  is,  the  one  formed  by  the  union  in  1808,] 
adopted  the  mode  of  work,  &c,  entire,  of  the  latter.  A  misunder- 
standing, however,  unhappily  arose,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons  was  revived. 

"  Thus,  then,  there  again  existed  in  this  State  two  Grand  Lodges, 
differing  from  each  other  in  no  respect  whatever,  than  in  the  words 
'Ancient  York'  adopted  by  one,  and  omitted  by  the  other,  in  their 
respective  tides."* 

Other  evidence  to  the  same  effect  will  be  found  in  the  reports  of  the 
committees  of  conference  to  be  hereafter  cited,  which  reports  declare 
li  that  there  exists  no  difference  in  the  mode  of  entering,  passing  and 
raising,  instructing,  obligating  and  clothing  brothers  in  their  respective 
Grand  Lodges.""}" 

The  subject  of  work,  therefore,  presented  no  difficulties  to  be  recon- 
ciled ly  the  two  committees.  There  could  be  no  contention  where 
both  sides  were  of  the  same  opinion.  And  when  we  consider  the 
tenacity  with  which  Masons  cleave  to  the  ritual  to  which  they  have 
been    accustomed,  and    the    obstinacy    with   which    they    oppose    the 

*  I  have  already  cited  this  paragraph,  but  the  importance  of  the  admission 
■will  excuse  a  repetition  of  the  quotation. — Masonic  Family  Re-united,  page  33. 
f  Ibid,  page  13. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  123 

slightest  change  in  it,  we  can  readily  appreciate  the  assistance  which 
the  committees  must  have  derived  in  coming  to  a  common  ground  of 
cdmpromi&e  and  union,  from  the  absence  of  all  differences  in  opinion 
iu  relation  to  "tlic  work  of  the  Order." 

Rut  the  committee  also  received  encouragement  in  their  task  of 
securing  a  union  from  the  great  inequality  that  existed  in  the  two 
Grand  Lodges.  It  was  not  so  much  a  union  of  equal  bodies,  equal  in 
f-trenpth,  equal  in  numbers,  equal  in  influence,  as  it  was  the  arrange- 
ment of  a  triumphant  rival  to  receive  the  advances  towards  a  reconcili- 
ation of  a  weaker  opponent.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons 
numbered,  at  the  time  of  the  union,  thirty-five  Lodges;  while  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  S<  uth  Carolina  had  only  fifteen.  So  that  here  again 
the  difficulty  of  a  union  was  considerably  lessened. 

The  deliberations  of  the  joint  committee  terminated  in  a  joint 
report  of  articles  of  union,  which,  as  they  constituted  the  basis  of  all 
the  subsequent  proceedings  which  terminated  in  the  establishment  of  a 
United  Grand  Lodge,  are  here  cited  in  their  full  extent.  These 
articles  were  agreed  upon  on  the  11th  day  of  January,  1817,  and  are 
in  the  following  words  : 

Articles  of  Union  between  the  Two  Grand  Lodges  in  South 

Carolina. 

"The  Grand  Lodges  of  Masons  in  South  Carolina,  being  desirous  of 
terminating  the  disunion  which  unfortunately  has  subsisted  letween 
them,  and  of  following  the  example  so  laudably  exhibited  in  Europe 
and  America,  of  harmonizing  the  Ancieut  and  Honorable  Craft  of 
Free  Masons,  and  consolidating  them  into  one  Fraternity,  that  the 
unity  and  strength  thereof  may  be  preserved,  and  the  Ancient  land- 
marks perpetuated  to  the  remotest  ages,  have  mutually  adopted  the 
plan,  that,  in  their  view,  gives  the  fairesf  promise  of  attaining  those 
great  and  valuable  ends.  For  this  purpose,  the  Bight  Worshipful  In- 
corporated Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons 
have  by  an  unanimous  vote  nominated  and  appointed  the  Honorable 
David  Johnson,  Past  Master;  William  Harper,  Esq.,  Grand  Secretary; 
and  the  R.  W.  John  Geddes,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  a  committee  for 
and  on  behalf  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge;  and  the  Right  Worshipful 
Incorporated.  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  have  by  an  unanimous 
vote  nominated  and  appointed  the  R.  W.  Simon  Magwood,  Past 
Grand  Master;  11.  W.  Timothy  Ford,  Past  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
aud  the  It.  W.  John  S.  Cogdell,  Juuior  Grand  Warden,  a  committee 


^24:  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

for  and  on  behalf  of  tlie  said  Grand  Ledge,  to  meet  together  in  free 
and  brotherly  conference  on  the  subject  of  an  union  so  mutually 
desirable. 

"  And  the  said  Joint  Committee  having  met,  in  Charleston,  on  the 
10th  day  of  January,  5817,  aud  10th  day  of  January,  1817,  and  con- 
ferred together,  in  free  and  harmonious  consultation,  have  come  to  an 
agreement  to  report  to  their  respective  Grand  Lodges,  and  to  recom- 
mend t:>  their  adoption,  and  to  the  acceptance  of  the  masonic  fraternity, 
the  following  convention,  as  a  basis  and  plan  for  a  full  and  perfect  uuion 
of  the  Grand  Lodges  into  one  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  called  '  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina,'  to  be  forever  deemed, 
held  and  taken  as  the  true  and  only  lawful  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons 
in  South  Carolina;  and  to  contain  the  true  and  supreme  masonic  au- 
thority thereof. 

"Art.  1.  There  shall  be,  from  aud  after  the  ratification  of  these 
Articles,  by  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York 
Masons,  and  by  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  (and  after 
the  ratification  of  both  Grand  Lodges,  in  the  manner  hereinafter  men- 
tioned,) a  full,  perfect,  and  perpetual  union,  of  and  between  the  said 
Grand  Lodges,  and  the  Sub)rdinate  Lodges  under  their  jurisdiction, 
and  the  fraternities  of  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina — so  as  that  in  all 
times  hereafter,  they  shall  form  and  constitute  but  one  brotherhood ; 
and  that  the  said  community  shall  be  represented  in  and  governed  by 
one  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  styled  '  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free- 
masons of  South  Carolina,'  to  be  solemnly  formed  and  held  on  the  day 
of  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  next  ensuing  such  ratifica- 
tions, and  thenceforward  forever. 

"  Art.  2.  It  is  declared  and  pronounced,  that  pure  ancient  masonry 
consists  of  three  degrees  and  no  more,  viz  : — those  of  the  Entered  Ap- 
prentice, the  Fellow  Craft,  and  the  Master  Mason,  including  the  su- 
preme order  of  the  Holy  Royal  Arch.  But  this  article  is  not  intended 
to  prevent  any  Lodge  or  Chapter  from  holding  a  meeting  in  any  of  the 
degrees  of  the  order  of  Chivalry,  according  to  the  constitutions  of  the 
said  orders. 

"  Art.  3.  There  shall  be  the  most  perfect  unity  of  obligation,  of  dis- 
cipline, of  working  the  Lodges,  of  entering,  passing  and  raising,  in- 
structing and  clothing  brothers;  so  that  but  oue  pure,  unsullied  system, 
according  to  the  genuine  landmarks,  laws  and  traditions  of  the  Craft, 
shall  be  maintained,  upheld  and  practiced,  from  the  day  of  the  date  of 
the  said  union,  until  time  shall  be  no  more. 


[\  SOUTH  Carolina  L25 

"Art.  4.  Although  it  is  believed  that  no  diversity  doth  exist  be- 
tween the  said  Grand  Lodges,  as  to  obligations  or  discipline,  or  working 
the  Lodges,  or  entering,  passing  and  raising,  instructing  and  clothing 
brothers,  yet  to  ascertain  the  same  to  mutual  satisfaction,  and  thence- 
forth, to  preclude  all  doubt  or  controversy,  it  is  agreed  that  one  and 
the  same  night  shall  be  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  in  Charleston,  when  they  shall  assemble  in  separate  Lodge,  and 
each  appoint  a  committee  to  visit  the  other  Grand  Lodge  the  same 
evening,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  into  the  mode  of  entering,  pass- 
ing and  raising,  instructing,  obligating  and  clothing  brothers,  in  the 
respective  Grand  Lodges;  and  after  the  visiting  committees  have  re» 
turned  to  their  respective  Lodges,  and  reported  the  result  of  their 
examinations,  the  two  Lodges  shall,  by  exchange  of  messages,  appoint 
a  joint  committee,  who  shall,  on  the  spot,  draw  up  and  prepare  a  report 
or  statement  of  the  interviews,  and  the  results  thereof,  which,  upon 
being  accepted  and  confirmed  by  each  Lodge,  (of  which  each  shall 
advise  the  other  in  writing,)  shall  be  transmitted  by  each  Grand  Lodge 
as  soon  thereafter  as  may  be,  to  their  respective  Subordinate  Lodges  for 
their  information.  And  upon  those  proceedings  being  had,  and  the 
report  of  the  joint  committee  made,  and  mutually  confirmed,  each 
Grand  Lodge  shall,  in  its  own  chamber,  and  during  the  same  sitting, 
proceed  to  put  the  question  to  agree  to,  and  accept  and  cenfirm  the 
articles  of  union  ;  and  if  the  same  shall  be  agreed  to  by  each  Grand 
Lodge,  the  testimonials  thereof  shall,  by  mutual  message,  be  exchanged, 
in  writing,  and  the  plan  of  union  shall  be  declared  to  be  fit,  and  ready 
for  the  final  consideration  and  adoption  hereinafter  meutioned  and  pro- 
vided for. 

"  Art.  5.  After  such  proceedings  shall  have  taken  place,  as  are  pre- 
scribed in  the  preceding  article,  the  two  Grand  Lodges  respectively 
shall  communicate  to  their  Subordinate  Lodges  a  statement  of  those 
proceedings,  and  a  copy  of  these  articles,  requiring  the  respective 
Lodges  to  take  the  whole  into  their  consideration,  at  a  regular  meeting, 
ami  thereupon  to  vote  either  their  acceptance  of  this  union  or  their 

snl  :    and.  al80,  thai  they  do  transmit  their  assent,  if  they  do  assent, 
to  abide  by  the  final  determination  that  shall  be  made  by  their  respect- 
ive Grand  Lodges,  touching  the   formation   of  the  union   hereby   i 
tcmplated. 

■•  Art.  <i.  As  soon  u  the  two  Grand  Lodges  shall  havecommun 
with  their  Subordinate    Lodges,  as  meutioned  in  the  last  article,  and 
the  Grand  Masters  shall  both  l.e  ready  to  call  a  meeting  lor  una!  ratili- 


12Q  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

cation,  a  day  shall  mutually  be  appointed  for  the  two  Grand  Lodges  1o 
meet;  and,  having  assemble.!,  in  sop  irate  chambers,  tliey  shall  ex- 
change ratifications  of  these  articles,  and,  having  so  done,  the  two 
Grand  Lodges  shall  immediately  resolve  themselves  into  a  joint  meeting 
in  the  following  manner:  A  joint  committee  shall  be  appointed  to 
determine,  by  lot,  which  of  the  Grand  Masters  shall  preside,  and  that 
being  fixed,  the  remaining  officers  of  the  other  Grand  Lodge  shall  keep 
their  respective  stations  in  the  joint  meeting,  which  joint' meeting 
shall  be  immediately  formed,  and  the  whole  being  duly  in  order,  the 
ratifications  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  shall  be  read  by  the  presiding 
Grand  Master,  who  shall  solemnly  pronounce  the  union  to  be  completed. 

"The  joint  meeting  shall  then  proceed  to  ballot,  as  one  Grand 
Lodge,  for  Grand  Officers  of  the  new  Grain/  Lodye  of  Ancient  Free- 
masons of  South- Carolina  :  and,  having  counted  the  votes,  and  de- 
clared the  election,  the  same  shall  be  duly  certified  under  the  hands  and 
seals  of  the  two  Grand  Masters,  and  of  the  other  Grand  Officers 
present,  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Grand  Master  elect:  and  the  two 
Grand  Lodges  now  existing,  shall  then  be  dissolved  and  forever  ex- 
tinct, which  shall  be  declared  in  open  Grand  Lodge  by  the  Grand 
Masters. 

"Art.  7.  The  new  Grand  Lodge  by  the  name  and  style  aforesaid, 
shall  apply  to  the  legislature  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  in  the  usual 
manner,  tendering,  at  the  same  time,  a  surrender  of  the  charters  of 
both  the  Grand  Lodges.  These  articles,  and  the  proceedings  touching 
them,  together  with  the  ratifications  and  all  the  documents  touching 
this  union,  shall  be  deposited,  and  for  ever  rem  lit)  in  the  archives  of 
the  new  Grand  Lodge:  and  all  property,  jewels  and  funds  belonging  to 
the  present  Grand  Lodges,  shall  vest' in  the  new  Grand  Lodge. 

"  Mutually  agreed  to  and  signed  by  the  Joint  Committee,  the  11th 
day  of  January,  1817. 

David  Jonxsox, 
John  Geddes, 
Committee  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodye  of  S.  C.  A.  Y.  M. 

Simox  Magwood, 
Timothy  Ford, 
John  S.  Cogdell, 
Committee  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodye  of  8.  C." 

This  report  was  presented  to  each  of  the  Grand  Lodges  and  adopted. 
As  the  4th  article  of  the  contemplated  union  provided  for  the  calling 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  127 

of  special  communications  of  both  Grand  Lodges,  at  which  each  might 
examine  the  mode  of  work  of  the  other,  these  communications  were 
called  on  the  evening  of  the  30th  of  May,  1817. 

The  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons 
was  held  at  Pierce's  Tavern.  Charles  J.  Colcock,  the  Grand  Master, 
presided,  and  nine  Lodges  were  represented. 

As  soon  as  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened,  a  committee  was  announced 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  who,  on  being  introduced, 
informed  the  body  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  then 
in  session,  at  Galloway's  Tavern,  for  the  purpose  of  acting  simulta- 
neously with'  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  under  the  -1th  article 
of  the  Convention. 

Similar  proceedings  took  place  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  S(  uth  Caro- 
lina, which  met  on  the  same  evening  at  Galloway's  Tavern.  Thomas  W. 
Bacot  presided,  and  fifteen  Lodges  were  represented. 

Loth  Grand  Lodges  then  appointed  Committees  of  Inspection,  the 
committee  of  each  body  being  directed  to  visit  the  other  Grand  Lodge 
and  examine  its  work.  There  is  a  full  resord  in  the  minutes  of  both 
bodies  of  the  visit  made  by  the  committee  of  the  York  Masons  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  where  thoy  were  received  with  due 
honor,  and  the  mode  of  entering,  passing  and  raising,  and  of  instruct- 
ing, obligating  and  working  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
was  explained  and  rehearsed  before  the  committee,  who,  after  express- 
ing their  "full  and  entire  satisfaction,"  returned  to  their  Grand  Lodge. 
But,  although  a  corresponding  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina  to  visit  and  inspect  the  work  of  the  York 
Grand  Lodge,  and  although  the  records  of  the  former  state  that  their 
committee  returned  and  made  a  "verbal  report  of  uniformity  in  the 
work,  &c,"  I  can  find  no  notice  whatever  in  the  record  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  York  Masons  of  the  introduction  and  reception  of  such  com- 
mittee from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  nor  of  any  inspection 
by  it  of  the  work  of  the  York  Grand  Lodge.  Unless  this  was  the 
result  of  inexcusable  negligence  on  the  part  of  the  York  Grand  Secre- 
tary in  omitting  to  record  so  important  a  transaction,  we  are  bound  to 
suppose  that  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Caroliua  did 
not  inspect  the  work  of  their  York  brethren  in  open  Grand  Lodge.  The 
nature  of  the  records  throws  much  doubt  on  this  subject,  although  it 
must  be  confessed  that  the  subsequent  report  of  the  Joint  Committees 
of  Inspection  would  authorize  us  to  suppose  that  there  was  a  mutual 
inspection  in  each  Grand  Lodge. 


[28  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Be  this  as  it  inny,  the  next  step  adopted  by  both  bodies  was  to  direct 
the  Visiting  Committees  to  meet  in  conference,  and  to  report  the  result 
of  their  deliberations.  The  two  committees  accordingly  conferred 
together,  after  which  thev  preseuted  to  their  respective  Grand  Lodges 
the  following  report,  which,  in  each,  was  immediately  considered  and 
unanimously  adopted: 

"  The  Joint  Committee,  appointed  by  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  by  the  Eight 
Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  under  the  4th  Article  of 
the  Union  between  the  Grand  Lodges, 

"  Report,  That  from  the  reciprocal  examinations  by  the  several  Com- 
mittees already  had  in  Grand  Lodge,  it  doth  appear  that  there  exists  no 
difference  in  the  mode  of  entering,  passing  and  raising,  instructing, 
obligating  and  clothing  Brothers,  in  the  respective  Grand  Lodges.  All 
which  is  submitted  to  the  Grand  Lodges  by  the  Joint  Committee. 

F.  S.  Curtis,  "")        Committee  of  the 

Jacob  Lankester,  Grand  Lodge   of 

Urban  Cooper,  )■    South       Carolina 

Joseph  Wiialey,  Ancient  York  31a- 

Edward  Bailey,  J    sons. 

Timothy  Ford,  ~] 

John  S.  Cogdell,  Committee  of  the 

William  Waller,        }    Grand   Lodge   of 
William  H.  Wilson,  |     South  Carolina. 
Samuel  Seyle,  J 

"May  30,  5817." 

The  question  was  then  put  in  each  Grand  Lodge  to  agree  to,  accept 
and  confirm  the  articles  of  union,  and  they  were  unanimously  accepted 
and  confirmed  in  both  bodies,  and  mutual  notice  of  the  same  was 
officially  given.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  then  invited  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  to  join  them  before  they  had  closed,  and 
partake  of  their  refreshments,  which  invitation  w.as  accepted.  The 
York  Grand  Lodge  being  then  closed,  the  Grand  Master,  accompanied 
by  the  officers  and  members,  proceeded  to  join  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  in  'heir  Lodge  room,  where  they  were  received  in  due 
Masouic  form  and  conducted  to  the  East,  where  they  were  met  at  the 
foot  of  the  throne  by  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina,  and  after  taking  their  seats  on  his  right  were  saluted  with  the 
highest  Masonic  honors.     Brother  Cooper,  the  Grand  Chaplain  of  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  129 

Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand  Master  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  offered  up  an  impressive  prayer. 
The  Grand  Lodge  being  then  closed,  the  members  of  the  two  bodies 
united  together  in  brotherly  love  around  the  banquet  table. 

The  5th  of  the  articles  of  union  had  provided,  that,  after  their  ac- 
ceptance and  confirmation  by  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  a  statement  of 
their  transactions  should  be  communicated  to  their  respective  Subordi- 
nates, with  a  request  that  each  should  express  by  vote  its  acceptance  or 
rejection  of  the  union,  and,  if  accepted,  to  transmit  its  acceptance  and 
its  assent  to  abide  by  the  filial  determination  which  should  be  made  by 
the  Grand  Lodges. 

This  duty  was  performed,  and  the  two  Grand  Lodges  having  commu- 
nicated with  their  respective  Subordinates,  and  the  Grand  Masters 
being  ready  in  consequence  to  call  a  meeting  for  final  ratification,  they 
appointed  (he  26th  of  December,  1817,  for  that  purpose. 

On  that  day  both  Grand  Lodges  assembled  in  their  respective  cham- 
bers, John  Geddes  being  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons,  and  Thomas  W.  Lacot  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina. 

Messages  were  sent  by  each  Grand  Lodge  to  the  other,  announcing 
that  both  bodies  were  open  and  ready  to  proceed  in  the  articles  of 
union,  and  mutually  proposing  the  appointment  of  a  joint  committee 
to  inspect  the  ratification  of  the  articles  of  union  by  the  several  Subor- 
dinate Lodges  uuder  each,  and  to  ascertain  the  number  under  each 
jurisdiction. 

The  joint  committee  thus  appointed  reported,  that  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  Ancient  York  Masons,  there 
were  thirty-five  Lodges,  viz:  Nos.  12,  15,  IS,  19,  21,  24,  26,  28,  31, 
31,  37,  41,  42,  46,  48,  52,  53,  54,  55,  57,  58,  62,  61,  65,  66,  67,  68, 
69,  70,  72,  73,  75,  77,  78,  79;  of  which,  twenty-two  had  ratified  the  arti- 
cles »f  union,  viz:  Nos.  12,  18,  19,  21,  24,  26,  28,  31,  34,  48,  52, 
E8,  58,  62,  66,  67,  68,  69,  70,  75,  78  and  79;  also,  that  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  South  Carolina  there  were  fifteen  Lodges,  viz:  Nos.  1, 
2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9,  12,  14,  36,  46,  55,  56  and  57;  of  which,  fourteen 
Lodges  had  ratified  the  articles,  being  all  except  No.  56. 

Nutios  of  the  ratification  having  been  mutually  fjfiven,  a  joint  com- 
mittee was  appointed  by  both  to  meet  and  determine  by  lot  which  of 
the  Grand  Makers  should  preside  at  the  joint  meeting  of  the  two 
Grand  Lodges,  which,  in  accordance  with  the  articles  of  uuiou,  was  to 
be  convened  as  soon  as  these  should  be  ratified. 
9 


L3()  HISTORY  OE  .FREEMASONRY 

The  committee  of  each  Grand  Lodge  then  retired,  and  having  met 
with  the  other,  the  names  of  the  two  Grand  Masters  were  written  on 
distinct  pieces  of  paper  by  a  member  of  one  of  the  committees;  the 
two  were  then  put  into  a  covered  hat  and  one  of  the  ballots  drawn  out 
by  a  member.  The  name  written  on  this  ballot  being  that  of  Thomas 
W.  Bacot,  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
the  committees  reported  that  that  brother  had  been  selected  to  preside 
over  the  joint  meeting  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges.  Under  the  provi- 
sions of  the  sixth  article  of  union,  the  remaining  chairs  were  to  be 
filled  by  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancieut  York  Masons  was  then  closed,  and  the 
officers  and  members  proceeded  to  Galloway's  Tavern,  where  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  then  in  session,  and,  on  their 
arrival  there,  they  were  announced  and  received  with  due  Masonic 
honors. 

The  two  Grand  Lodges  having  thus  assembled  in  joint  communica- 
tion, the  offices  were  temporarily  filled  as  follows: 

Thomas  W.  Bacot,  Grand  Master; 
Eliab  Kingman,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Jacob  Lankester,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 
Charles  Holmes,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Joseph  Galluchat,  Grand  Secretary; 
Moses  Tennant,  Senior  Grand  Deacon  ; 
C.  C.  Chitty,  Junior  Grand  Deacon; 
David  Bechon,  Grand  Tiler. 

When  the  joint  meeting  had  thus  been  formed  and  the  whole  was 
in  order,  the  Presiding  Grand  Master  made,  in  a  loud  voice,  the  follow- 
ing declaration  : 

"I  do  now  solemnly  declare  and  pronounce,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand 
Architect  of  the  Universe,  and  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge 
assembled  in  joint  meeting,  in  virtue  of  the  6th  article  of  the  Conven- 
tion, just  ratified  by  the  two  late  Grand  Lodges,  that  the  union  of  the 
said  Grand  Lodges,  to  wit:  'The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Caroliua 
Ancient  York  Masons/  and  'The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,'  is 
complete,  and  that  the  new  '  Grand  Lodge  of  Anc'ent  Freemasons  of 
/South  Carolina'  is  now  ready  to  proceed  to  ballot  for  its  officers." 

Immediately  after  this  annunciation  had  been  made,  the  Grand 
Lodge,  thus  united,  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result: 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  iyj 

Thomas  W.  Bacot,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master; 

Hon.  David  Johnson,  R.   W   Deputy  Grand  Mister; 

John  S    Cogdell,   V.    W.  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

ELIAB  KlNGMAN,    V.    W.  Junior  Grand    Warden; 

Rev.  Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Most  Rev.  Grand  Chaplain  : 

John  Langton,  Grand  Treasurer; 

JOHN  H.  MITCHELL,   Grand  Secretary; 

Isaac  M.  Wilson,  M.D.,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary} 

James  Sweeney,  Grand  Marshal; 

William  Waller,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  liler. 

Charles  S.  Tucker  and  Richard  Pearce  were  subsequently  appointed 
Senior  Grand  Deacons,  and  Baxter  0.  Mynott  and  Benjamin  Phillips, 
Junior  Grand  Deacons. 

The  whjle  of  the  interesting  ceremonies  of  the  evening  having  been 
thus  happily  concluded,  the  new  Grand  Lodge,  under  the  designation, 
which  it  has  ever  since  retained,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  South  Carolina,  was,  after  an  appropriate  prayer  by  the 
Grand  Chaplain,  closed  in  ample  form. 

The  next  day  was  the  Festival  of  St.  Johu  the  Evangelist,  and  the 
day  must  have  been  celebrated  by  the  Craft  with  peculiar  emotions  of 
pleasure,  fur  it  was  the  first  time  since  1787  that  a  single  altar  had  been 
built  iu  the  State  for  the  common  oblation  of  an  undivided  Craft. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  with  the  representatives  of  twenty-six  Subordi- 
nates, assembled  iu  the  Grand  Lodge  room  at  Galloway's  Tavern,  and 
after  the  installation  of  the  Grand  Master  elect  by  Jarvis  II.  Stevens, 
Past  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
the  newly  elected  Grand  Master  theu  installed  the  other  officers. 

A  procession  was  then  formed,  which  moved  to  St.  Michael's 
Church,  where  Divine  Service  was  performed,  and  a  discourse  delivered 
by  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  the  Grand  Chapliiu.  A  copy  of  this  dis- 
course is  now  before  me.  Though  well  written,  and  founded  on  the 
appiopriate  Masonic  text,  "while  ye  have  light,  believe  in  the  light, 
that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  light,"  (John  xii :  36,)  I  find  no 
allusion  whatever  iu  it  to  the  lately  cemented  union.  But  after  the 
return  of  the  Fraternity  to  the  Lodge  room,  they  were  addressed  by 
the  Grand  Master  on  the  subject,  and  as  the  address  called  forth  by 
these  unusual  events  constitutes  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  times,  I 
do  not  hesitate  to  preserve  it  by  a  publication  of  it  in  full  : 


132  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"My  Dear  Brethren  and  Friends  : 

"It  is  with  more  than  ordinary  emotions  of  pleasure  I  address  you 
on  this  interesting  and  happy  occasion,  and  I  am  sure  you  all  partake 
■with  me  in  those  delighful  feelings  which  our  reunion  is  so  eminently 
calculated  to  inspire. 

"The  unhappy  difference  which  existed  in  our  Masonic  Family,  in 
this  State,  for  the  last  nine  years,  has  at  length  been  adjusted;  and  I 
trust  upon  principles  which  will,  under  God,  ensure  a  permanent  good 
understanding  and  perfect  harmony  among  the  Brotherhood. 

"I  will  not  advert  to  the  causes  of  our  late  misunderstanding;  I 
trust  and  believe  they  will  soon  be  effaced  from  our  minds,  and  buried 
in  eternal  oblivion;  and  that  henceforth  we  shall  dwell  together  in 
unity  of  heart  and  affection,  as  we  have  always  done  in  unity  of  prin- 
ciple and  work. 

"If  our  holy  religion,  the  best  and  only  real  solace  to  men  upon 
earth,  be  liable  to  misapprehension,  perversion  and  abuse,  and  its  pro- 
fessors divided  into  so  many  different  denominations,  we  need  not  be 
surprised  that  misunderstandings  should  sometimes  have  arisen,  and 
discord  sometimes  prevailed  among  Brethren  of  so  extensive  an  house- 
hold as  ours,  composed  of  every  description  of  persons  as  to  habits, 
manners,  religion,  education,  intellect,  &c.  Ought  we  not  rather  to 
feel  an  honest  pride  in  reflecting,  that,  during  a  period  little  short  of 
6,000  year«,  our  noble  Order  has,  amidst  the  numerous  revolutions  and 
changes  that  have  taken  place  throughout  the  world,  maintained  its 
principles  in  their  original  purity,  and  that  it  still  flourishes,  all  over 
the  habitable  globe,  with  unfading  beauty — with  undiminished  lustre? 

"Can  it,  too,  be  matter  of  surprise  that  in  an  Institution,  whose 
mystic  forms  and  ceremonies,  as  well  as  solemn  obligations,  have  never 
been  committed  to  writing,  but  handed  down,  by  tradition,  from  one 
generation  to  another;  is  it  to  be  wondered  at  that,  in  an  Institution  so 
framed,  innovations  should  sometimes  have  been  made,  and  misconcep- 
tions arisen,  from  the  fallibility  of  the  human  mind,  the  imperfection  of 
memory,  and  the  conflicting  opinions  of  mankind? 

"Yet,  we  find,  notwithstanding,  Freemasons  have  been  divided  into 
only  two  classes  or  sects,  kept  asunder  (when  they  have  been  separated) 
by  a  slight  difference  of  ceremonies,  but  both  preserving  the  original 
landmarks;  and  in  the  present  enlightened  state  of  mankind,  these 
two  sections  of  the  great  Masonic  Family  everywhere  seem  disposed  to 
reconcile  their  differences,  and  to  restore  to  the  Craft  that  uniformity, 
harmony  and  friendship,  so  essential  to  their  welfare,  and  which  con- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  133 

stitutc  the  support  of  nil  Societies,  but  in  a  more  especial  manner  form 
the  cement  of  the  Mystic  Fabric. 

"In  our  ordinary  intercourse  with  each  other,  we  view  the  same 
things  through  a  different  medium,  and  conduct  ourselves  accordingly; 
docs  it  not  thence  follow,  that  we  may  sometimes  act  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  each  other,  and  yet  be  governed  by  motives  equally  pure? 
And  when  dissensions  unfortunately  arise,  what  so  likely  to  heal  them — 
what  so  likely  to  bring  us  together  again,  as  friends,  as  that  spirit  of 
benevolence  which  Freemasonry  inculcates — that  spirit  of  brotherly  love, 
which  teaches  us  forbearance  towards  each  other — which  makes  it  our 
duty  to  correct  a  Brother's  errors  with  kindness,  aud  to  view  even  his 
faults  with  feelings  of  pity  rather  than  anger? 

"Freemasonry,  my  brethren,  is  an  unit  in  every  nation  and  every 
clime.  Founded  upon  the  principles  of  science  and  universal  charity, 
those  principles  should  be  disseminated,  and  their  practice  extended 
over  every  part  of  the  globe;  and  to  be  rendered  useful  as  well  as 
general,  the  system  should  be  one  and  the  same  everywhere;  unchange- 
able iu  its  forms,  yet  so  simple  and  concise  in  its  practice,  that  all  may 
comprehend  its  tenets,  and  partake  of  its  advantages. 

"There  should,  then,  exist  no  difference  among  us;  and  I  feel 
assured  that  no  true  Mason,  no  reflecting  man,  can  harbor  a  sentiment, 
hostile  to  our  uniou.  The  great  desire  expressed  by  the  several 
Lodges,  under  the  respective  jurisdictions  of  the  two  late  Grand 
Lodges,  to  effect  the  uuion,  evinces  the  sincerity  of  both  parties;  and 
the  spirit  of  conciliation  which  characterized  all  their  proceedings  in 
accomplishing  that  happy  event,  gives  the  strongest  ground  to  hope 
and  believe,  that  it  is  now  established  'upon  a  basis  never  to  be 
shaken.' 

"In  the  United  Kingdom  of  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  whence 
our  Masonic  bodies  in  this  country  derive  their  origin,  an  union  between 
the  'Free  and  Accepted,'  aid  'Ancient  York'  Masons,  took  place 
several  years  since.  On  the  Continent  of  Europe,  generally,  those  dis- 
tinctions, if  known,  are  not  observed.  In  France,  if  I  am  correctly 
informed,  there  are  two  Grand  Lodges,  having  Subordinate  Lodges 
under  each  jurisdiction,  but  between  whom  the  utmost  harmony  and 
good  understanding  prevail,  recognizing  and  exchanging  civilities  with 
each  other;  so  that  the  distinction,  in  that  country,  is  merely  nominal. 

"Shall  it  then  be  said,  that,  in  those  regions  where  despotic  govern- 
ments exist,  there  is  more  toleration,  more  liberality }  among  Free- 
masons, than  iu  this,  our  beloved  couutry;  where  we  find  the  freest 


^34  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

(if  not  the  only  free)  Government  upon  earth?  Forbid  it,  Spirits  of 
our  Fathers  !   Forbid  it,  Philanthropy  !   Forbid  it,  Patriotism  ! ! 

"Let  us  then,  my  respected  brethren,  hail  with  joy  and  gladness  this 
most  auspicious  day,  when  the  light  of  reason  having  shed  upon  us  its 
effulgent  beams  and  dispelled  the  mist  of  prejudice,  we  are  once  more 
assembled  as  a  band  of  Brothers!  And  permit  me  to  congratulate  you, 
as  well  as  the  Fraternity  throughout  the  State,  on  the  glorious  event 
which  is  the  principal  cause  of  our  present  joy — the  consummation  of 
our  happy  reunion — forming  a  new  era  in   Masonry  in  South  Carolina. 

"To  portray  to  so  enlightened  a  body  of  Freemasons  as  this  the 
excellencies  of  our  Institution,  were  it  even  in  my  power  to  do  justice 
to  the  subject,  would  be,  at  least,  superfluous.  But  it  is  rendered  still 
less  necessary,  from  the  luminous  and  eloquent  discourse  which  you 
have  just  heard  in  the  Temple  of  the  Most  High  God.  delivered  by 
our  Most  Reverend  Grand  Chaplain,  Brother  Frederick  Dalcho; 
wherein,  not  only  the  duties  of  a  Freemason  were  clearly  pointed  out 
and  the  intrinsic  merits  of  our  Order  displayed,  but  the  beauties  of  our 
Ancient  and  honorable  Institution  were  presented  to  your  view  in  such 
glowing  colors,  that  each  Brother  must,  I  am  sure,  have  felt  anew  the 
weight  of  those  solemn  obligations  he  had  voluntarily  imposed  upon 
himself,  and  rejoiced  that  he  had  been  brought  to  see  the  light;  for  it 
is  said  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  'while  ye  have  light,  believe  in  the 
light,  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  light.' 

"Let  us  then,  my  brethren,  maintain  the  union  of  the.  Craft,  as  of 
vital  importance — cleave  to  it  as  the  Ark  of  our  preservation,  and 
esteem  it  as  the  Covenant  of  our  prosperity!  Let  us  ever  cherish  the 
principles  of  Piety,  Charity,  and  Hrotherly  Lore,  alike  the  objects  and 
the  foundation  of  our  Order!  Let  us  not  merely  profess,  but  act; 
uniformly  practising  those  moral  and  social  duties  and  virtues  which 
we  are  taught  within  our  Lodges! 

"In  short,  let  us  take  for  our  unerring  guides  the  Three  Great 
Lights  of  Masonry,  which  severally  'point  out  the  path  that  leads  to 
happiness — direct  us  how  to  regulate  our  conduct — and  tejich  us  to 
limit  our  desires  in  every  station  of  life;'  whilst  we  may  be  admonished 
by  the  Plumb,  that  it  is  our  duty  to  '  walk  uprightly  before  God  and 
man,'  remembering  that  we  are  journeying  on  'the  Level  of  time  to 
that  undiscovered  country,  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller  returns!' 

"Finally,  my  brethren,  let  there  be  among  us  no  other  contention, 
than  that  of  striving  who  shall  excel  iu  acts  of  munificence  and  kind- 
ncss  towards  one  another.  ■ 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  135 

"Thus  doing  and  acting,  we  shall  fulfil  the  duties  required  of  us  as 
'Free  and  Accepted  .Masons,'  and  the  hotter  fit  ourselves  for  a  seat  in 
that  Grand  Lodue  above,  where  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe 
Himself  pre:  ides,  and  will  so  coutinue  to  do  through  the  endless  ages 
of  Eternity." 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  then  returned  to  Thomas  W. 
Bacot,  Grand  Master,  and  the  Hon.  Charles  J.  Colcock  and  Hon.  John 
Geddes,  Past  Grand  Masters,  "for  their  united  and  individual  exertions 
in  effecting  the  reunion  of  the  Craft  in  this  State;"  and  to  Simou 
Magwood,  Past  Grand  Master;  Hon.  David  Johnson,  Deputy  Grand 
Master;  Jarvis  II.  Stevens,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master;  John  S.  Cog- 
dell  and  Eliab  Kingman,  Grand  Wardens;  and  to  Timothy  Ford  and 
Charles  Kershaw,  Past  Grand  Wardens,  "  for  their  zealous  cooperation 
and  uni  orui  assistance  in  effecting  the  same  laudable  work." 

It  was  also  ordered,  that  an  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  union 
should  be  published.  This  order  was  executed;  and  a  pamphlet,  pub- 
lished under  the  title  of  "The  Masonic  Family  Reuuited,"  of  which 
unfortunately  very  few  copies  are  remaining,  was  the  result.  To  the 
one  in  my  own  possession  1  am  indebted  for  the  material  facts  which  I 
have  here  recorded. 

The  "Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina"  was 
then  closed  in  ample  form. 


136  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CIIAPTEK    XI. 

THE   YEAE    1818. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year 
1818: 

THOMAS  W.  BACOT,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master ; 

Hon.  David  Johnson,  R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 

JOHN  S.  CoGDELL,   V.    W.  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

ELIAB  KlNGMAN,   V.   W.  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

Rev.  Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Most  Rev.  Grand  Chaplain  ; 

John  Langton,  Grand  Treasurer  ; 

John  H.  Mitchell,  Grand  Secretary ; 

Isaac  M.  Wilson,  M.D.,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Charles  S.  Tucker,  )   a    .      ~       ,  ,, 

_  _,  ■  >  oemor  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Richard  Pearce,       ) 

Baxter  0.  Mynott,  )   7     .     „       7  ^ 

_.  _  >  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Benjamin  Phillips,  j 

James  Sweeney,  Grand  Marshal-, 

William  Waller,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  Masonic  proceedings  of  the  year  1818  commence  with  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Grand  and  Past  Grand  officers  at  the  house  of  the  Grand 
Master,  on  the  evening  of  January  10th,  when  a  committee  was 
appointed,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter,  to 
revise  the  minutes  of  the  several  proceedings  of  the  two  late  Grand 
Lodges,  and  arrange  them  for  publication.  The  committee  was  also 
directed  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  fraternity  on  the  subject  of  the 
union,  to  be  prefixed  thereto,  and  to  publish  the  whole,  together  with 
the  address  of  the  Grand  Chaplain  on  St.  John's  Day.  This  duty  was 
faithfully  performed  by  the  committee. 

A  special  communication  was  holden  on  the  18th  of  February,  1818, 
when  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  was  ordered  to  communicate 
with  certain  Ancient  York  Lodges  which  had  not  yet  signified  their 
assent  to  the  union,  and  to  inform  them  that  if  they  did  not  reply  be- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  13 7 

for?  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  September,  they  would  be  ex- 
punged from  the  list  of  Lodges. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  frame  a  "  code  of  By-Laws"  for  the 
Grand  Lodge,  to  devise  a  form  of  Grand  Lodge  certificates,  and  to  pro- 
cure a  seal.  This  committee  consisted  of  Fred.  Palcho,  Grand  Chap- 
lain, John  Geddes,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  John  S.  Cogdell,  Senior 
Grand  Warden. 

At  this  communication  Dr.  Palcho's  "Ahiman  Rezon"  was  adopted 
for  the  government  of  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  juris- 
diction, until  a  new  code  of  By-laws  should  be  agreed  to. 

This  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  is  a  strong  evidence  of  the  predomi- 
nant influence  exerted  at  that  time  by  the  "  Ancients "  over  the 
"  Moderns, ''  in  the  Masonry  of  the  State.  The  work  thus  adopted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  for  i:s  government  was  the  Ahiman  Rezon  published 
in  1807  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  and 
of  course  it  contained  and  supported  many  principles  of  Masonic  usage 
and  jurisprudence,  which  were  in  direcjt  conflict  with  the  constitutions 
aud  regulations  of  the  year  1723,  as  found  in  Anderson's  "  Book  of 
Constitutions,"  the  text  book  and  authoritative  exposition  of  Masonic 
law  for  the  regular  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  all  the  bodies  that 
were  descended  from  her.  Now  that  the  existence  of  the  Athol  Grand 
Lodge  is  almost  forgotten,  and  the  influence  of  Laurence  Dermott  for- 
ever gone,  there  is  surely  not  a  Grar.d  Lodge  in  the  world  which  would 
thus  unhesitatingly  indorse  the  edition  of  1807,  of  Dalcho's  Ahiman 
Rezon. 

It  was  also  ordered,  at  this  communication,  that  the  numbers  of  the 
Lodges  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  arranged,  that 
the  old  warrants  should  be  surrendered,  aud  that  new  oues  should  be 
issued,  free  of  expense. 

At  the  Quarterly  Commuircation  on  the  27th  of  March,  a  warrant 
was  granted  for  the  establishment  of  a  Lodge  at  the  city  of  Havana,  in 
the  Tsland  of  Cuba,  to  be  known  as  "  La  Coustancia  Lodge  No.  50." 
This  was  not  the  first  rime  that  an  American  Grand  Lodge  had  extended 
its  jurisdiction  beyond  the  limits  of  the  United  States.*  The  act  was 
a  legitimate   one,  as   there   was   no   Grand   Lodge  in  the  Kingdom  of 


*  Some  years  before,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  had  consti- 
tuted a  LoJg,'  at  St.  Augustine,  in  Florida,  then  under  the  dominion  of  the  crown 
of  Spain. 


138  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Spnin  which  could  cserci.ce  Masonic  jurisdiction  over  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  and  there  was,  therefore,  in  this  act  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina,  no  unwarrantable  intrusion  on  a  foreign  jurisdiction. 

A  warrmt  was  also  granted  fjr  Mount  Hope  Lodge  No.  90,  for 
which  application  had  been  previously  made  tc  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York* Masons.  This  Lodge  was  situated  at  Pocotaligo,  in  Col- 
letuu  District,  and  has  long  since  become  extinct.  It  was  also  ordered 
at  this  communication  that  a  petition  be  presented  to  the  Legislature 
for  a  new  act  of  incorporation. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2Gth  of  June,  the  new  seal 
which  had  been  ordered  to  be  prepared  was  presented.  As  this  seal 
has  ever  since  been  us  d,  without  the  slightest  alteration  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Sou  h  Carolina,  a  description  of  it  may  not  be  uninteresting. 

The  device  of  the  seal  consists  of  a  Bible,  Square  and  Compass,  be- 
tween an  all  seeing  Kye  in  chief,  and  two  right  hnnds  clasped  in  base, 
with  the  motto  "  Wisdom,  Strength  and  Beauty."  The  exergue  is, 
"  Graud  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina." 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  September,  the 
Co  resp  nding  Grand  Secretary  reported  that  of  all  the  Lodges  in  both 
the  old  jurisdictions  which  had  been  heard  from  on  the  subject  of  the 
union,  only  one  had  dissen'ed  thereto.  But  it  is  to  be  remembered 
that  several  had  made  no  replies.  Although  a  vast  majority  of  the 
Masons  in  the  State  had  concurred  in  the  expediency  and  propriety  of 
the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  conscientious  motives  still  deterred 
a  few  from  rendering  in  their  adhesion  to  the  new  order  of  things. 

It  was  determined,  at  this  communication,  that  the  approaching  St. 
John's  day  should  be  celebrated  by  a  procession  and  feast,  and  Bro. 
Balcho,  the  Grand  Chaplain,  was  requested  to  deliver  a  discourse  on 
the  occasion,  to  which  he  assented. 

The  annual  election  of  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  took  place  on  the 
23d  of  December,  when  Thomas  W.  Bacot  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

During  the  month  of  December,  1818,  the  Legislature  of  South 
Carolina  had  been  in  session,  and  the  two  former  Grand  Lodges,  having 
surrendered  their  old  acts  of  incorporation,  were  reincorporated  under 
the  name  of  "  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South 
Caroliua."  As  this  act  of  incorporation  is  perpetual  in  its  grant,  and 
is  the  one  from  which  the  Grand  Lodge  now  derives  all  its  legal 
character,  a  copy  of  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  in  the  history  of  the 
Order  in  this  State. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  139 

An   Act  to  Incorporate  the   Grand  Lotlye  of  Ancient   Freemasons  of 

South- Carolina,  and  for  other  purposes  (herein  mentioned. 

Whereas  Thomas  Wright  Bacot,  Grand  Master,  the  Hon.  David 
Johnson,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  John  S.  Cogdell,  Senior,  and  Eliab 
K'v  gman,  Junior  Grand  Wardens,  Rev.  F.  Dalcho,  Grand  Chaplain, 
and  others,  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  South-Carolina,  have,  by  their  memorial  to  this  legisla- 
ture, set  forth,  that  the  different  denominations  of  Masons  heretofore 
subsisting  in  this  State  have,  by  common  consent,  duly  taken  and  testi- 
fied in  masonic  form,  united  into  one  fraternity,  under  the  jurisdiction 
and  government  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of 
South-Carolina,  duly  constituted  since  the  said  union  :  That  the  articles 
of  their  said  union  require  that  the  charters  of  incorporation  heretofore 
held  by  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  Masons  in  this  State,  should  be  sur- 
rendered they  being  dissolved,  and  in  lieu  thereof  a  new  act  of  incor- 
poration obtained  for  the  Grat.d  Lodge  above  mentioned,  which  is 
declared  to  contain  thenceforth  the  true  and  supreme  masonic  authori  y 
in  this  State;  and  have  proffered  to  surrender  all  charters  of  incorpo- 
ration heretofore  subsisting  in  this  State,  whereby  Grand  Lodges  by 
different  names  have  been  incorporated,  and  prayed  the  legislature  to 
grant  a  new  act  of  incorporation  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancie..t 
Freemasons  of  South-Carolina  : 

Be  if  therefore  enacted  hjj  the  Serate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
note  met  and  sitting  in  General  Axtembfy,  and  hy  the  authority  of  the 
same,  That  the  surrender  of  past  charters  of  incorporations  for  Grand 
Lodges  aforesaid  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  accepted,  and  that  all  acts 
of  the  legislature  heretofore  passed  for  the  incorporating  of  Grand 
Lodges  of  Masons  in  this  State,  by  whatsoever  name  called  or  made 
known,  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby,  repealed. 

And  t>e  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the  said 
Thomas  Wright  Bacot,  Grand  Master,  David  Johnson,  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  John  S.  Cogdell  and  Kliab  Kingman*,  Senior  and  Junior  Grand 
Wardens',  Rev.  Frederick  Dalcho,  Grand  Chaplain,  and  others,  officers 
and  members  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  and  their  successors,  and  all 
others  who,  agreeably  to  masonic  rules  and  usages,  shall  become  officers 
and  members  thereof,  shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby  declared  to  be,  a 
body  corporate,  in  deed  and  in  law,  by  the  name  of  "The  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South-Carolina;"  the  said  society  to 


140  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

consist  of  a  Grand  Master,  a  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  such  officers, 
■with  such  style  or  title  of  office  as  the  said  Grand  Lodge  may,  by 
virtue  of  Masonic  usage,  or  by  any  resolutions  or  by-laws,  direct  or 
appoint,  accept  or  install,  together  with  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
the  subordinate  lodges  subsisting  under  the  warrant  or  jurisdiction  of 
the  before-mentioned  Grand  Lodge,  and  such  Past  Masters,  or  past 
officers  of  Grand  Lodges  heretofore  subsisting,  as  the  said  Grand 
Lodge  hereby  incorporated  may  admit  to  sit  therein,  composing 
altogether  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South-Carolina; 
aud  by  the  said  name  shall  have  perpetual  succession  of  officers  and 
members,  and  a  common  seal,  with  power  to  change,  alter,  break,  and 
make  new  the  same;  with  full  power  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  to  make 
such  rules  and  by-laws,  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  for  the 
benefit  and  advantage  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  and  for  the  order, 
rule,  good  government  and  management  of  the  same,  and  of  the 
subordinate  lodges  in  this  State,  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  pros- 
perity, order,  interest  and  advantage  of  the  craft  in  general,  as  to  the 
said  Grand  Lodge  shall  appear  meet  aud  proper:  And  the  said  Grand 
Lodge  shall  be  able  and  capable,  in  law,  to  purchase  or  acquire,  have, 
hold  and  enjoy,  to  itself  and  its  successors  in  perpetuity,  any  charitable 
donations,  masonic  contributions,  assessments,  or  dues,  aud  any  estate 
or  estates,  real  or  personal,  or  terms,  for  life  or  years,  or  other  property 
of  what  nature  or  kind  soever,  not  exceeding  the  annual  income  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars;  and  to  sell,  alien,  exchange,  demise,  or 
convey  the  same,  as  it  shall  by  them  be  thought  proper:  and  by  the 
name  aforesaid,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  implead  or  be  impleaded;  answer 
and  be  answered  unto,  in  any  court  of  law  or  equity,  or  other  judicial 
tribunal  of  this  State. 

A  ad  be  it  farther  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  it  shall 
aud  may  b°  lawful,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  for 
the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  officers  and  members  of 
the  said  Grand  Lodge  for  the  time  being,  and  proxies  by  the  said 
Grand  Lodge  duly  admitted,  and  the  successors  of  the  said  Grand 
Masters,  and  other  Grand  Officers,  to  assemble  and  meet  together  in 
masonic  form,  at  such  stated  times  and  places  of  forming,  as  in  aud  by 
the  constitution  of  the  said  society,  or  their  by-laws,  are  or  may  be 
declared  and  appointed,  as  well  as  at  such  extra  meetings  as  the  Grand 
Master,  or  Deputy  Grand  Master,  by  virtue  of  their  constitutions  aud 
by-laws,  may   call :  aud  then  and  there  to  transact  all   the  business 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  141 

touching  the  masonic  fraternity,  -which,  hy  masonic  rules,  and  the 
constitution  and  order  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  doth  or  may  appertain 
to  the  same. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  the  said  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  in  full 
Grand  Lodge,  and  with  their  concurrence,  under  the  seal  of  the  said 
Grand  Lodge,  to  issue  Warrants  for  the  constituting  of  subordinate 
lodges  within  this  State;  which  Warrant,  until  the  same  be  revoked, 
auuulled,  or  surrendered,  shall  be  a  legal  and  regular  authority  for  the 
forming  and  constituting  of  any  subordinate  lodge,  with  its  proper 
officers  aud  members,  and  for  their  masonic  meetings  and  communion 
with  the  fraternity  in  this  State:  And  all  subordinate  lodges  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  shall  have  the  power  to  make 
and  establish  such  rules,  orders  and  regulations  for  their  government, 
subordinate  to,  or  uot  inconsistent  with,  the  masonic  constitution  and 
rules  aud  orders  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  of  the  laws  of  tlie  land,  as 
shall  appear  to  such  subordinate  lodges  to  be  good  and  expedient :  And 
each  subordinate  lodge,  to  be  constituted  by  the  said  Grand  Lodge, 
shall  and  may,  while  its  Warrant  subsists,  by  the  name  in  which  it  is 
constituted,  have  and  hold  any  funds  or  property  not  exceeding  the 
annual  income  of  two  thousand  dollars,  and  sue  and  be  sued  in  any 
court  of  law  or  equity,  and  recover  any  legal  dues,  debts,  or  demands; 
and  be  made  answerable  to  others  in  like  manner;  but  nothing  herein 
contained,  and  no  charters  of  incorporation  heretofore  passed  to  any 
subordinate  lodge  of  Masons,  shall  be  intended  to  operate  otherwise 
than  in  accordance  with  that  subordination  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
the  constitutions  and  masonic  rules  demand  or  require. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid.  Thai  this  act 
sh.ill  be  taken  and  deemed  a  public  act,  and  notice  shall  be  taken 
thereof  in  all  courts  of  judicature  of  this  State,  and  ma}'  be  given  in 
evidence  on  the  trial  of  any  cause,  without  specially  pleading  the  same. 

In  the  Senate  House,  the  sixteenth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eirjht  hundred  and  eighteen,  and  in  the 
forty-third  year  of  (he  Independence  of  (he  United  States  of 
America. 

JAMES  R.  PllINGLE, 

President  of  the  Senate. 

ROBERT  Y.  I1AYXE, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 


142  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  by  the  pro- 
cession of  a  large  number  of  the  brethren  to  St.  Michael's  Church, 
where  Divine  Service  was  performed,  and  an  appropriate  discourse 
delivered  by  the  Hev.  Bro.  Frederick  Dalcho,  Grand  Chaplain,  and 
suitable  authems  performed  b}'  Bro.  Eckhard,  on  the  organ,  assisted  by 
the  gentlemen  composing  the  Union  Ilarmouic  Society.  In  the  even- 
ing there  was  the  usual  banquet. 


IK   SOUTH  CAROLINA.  14^ 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE    YEAR    1819. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  the  Grand   Lodge  for  the  year 
1819. 

Thomas  W.  Bacot,  Grand  Master; 
John  S.  Cogdell,  Deputy  Grand  Matter; 
Charles  Kershaw,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Isaac  M.  Wilson,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 
Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Grand  Chapain; 
ClIARLES  S.  TUCKER,    Grand  Treasurer; 
John  11.  Mitchell,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 
II .  II.  Bacot,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 
James  Sweeney,  Grand  Marshal; 
William  Waller,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 


Peter  Javain,      )  «    .     n       7  n 

'        \  senior  Grand  JJeacons; 

IllCHARD  PEARCE,  ) 

'  >  Junior 


Benjamin  Phillips,  , 

y  Junior  Grand  JJeacons; 

Baxter  0.  Mynott 
Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  6rst  Quarterly  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  this  year, 
was  holden  on  Friday  evening,  the  26th  of  March. 

At  this  communication  a  petition  was  presented  and  road  from 
sundry  brethren  at  Claiborne,  in  the  Territory  of  Alabama,  praying  for 
a  dispensation  or  charter  for  opening  and  establishing  a  Lodge  at  tint 
place,  which  was  referred  to  the  Grand  Officers.  The  charter  was  sub- 
sequently granted,  and  the  Lodge  appears  on  the  registry  as  "  Claiborne 
Lodge  No.  51." 

The  union  which  had  taken  place  in  1817  was  daily  growing  more 
popular,  and  it  was  officially  announced  at  this  communication,  that 
thirty-eight  Lodges  had  surrendered  their  old  warrants  and  were  de- 
sirous of  obtaining  new  ones.  It  was  therefore  ordered,  that  new  war- 
rants should  be  prepared  and  issued  to  such  Lodges  as  had  acceded  to 
the  union  and  surrendered  their  old  ones,  each  Lodge  to  take  prece- 
dence as  to  its  uumber,  according  to  the  date  of  its  old  warrant. 


144  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Friendship  Lodge  No.  9. 

Lod»-e  No.  60,  on  John's  Island,  was  this  year  dissolved  by  its  mem- 
bers, and  the  dues  for  the  past  year  having  been  paid  up,  the  late 
Master,  Brother  John  LaRoche,  gave  notice  that  he  would  return  its 
warrant,  furniture  and  books  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  held  until  the 
Lodge  might  be  revived.  Forty-two  years  have  now  elapsed,  but  this 
revival  has  never  taken  place.  Twelve  years  after  its  dissolution,  I 
accidentally  visited  the  old  Lodge  rojm  held  over  the  Muster  House, 
and  saw  its  candlesticks  which  once  held  the  three  lesser  lights,  with 
some  other  furniture,  thrown  in  one  corner,  while  cobwebs  occupied  the 
walls,  and  a  rich  coating  of  dust  covered  the  floor  of  this  once  thriving 
temple  of  Masonry.  It  was,  indeed,  the  image  of  "some  banquet  hall 
deserted." 

Brothers  C.  J.  Colcock  and  David  Johnson  were,  at  this  commu- 
nication, appoiuted  by  the  Grand  Master  "Inspectors,"  to  visit  and 
inspect  the  Lodges  in  their  respective  jurisdictions  throughout  the 
State.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  were  civilians  of  high  rank  and  dis- 
tinguished Masons  in  their  day  Both  of  them  were,  subsequently, 
Judges,  and  the  latter  was  Grand  Master  of  the  Craft  a  few  years 
afterwards. 

Brother  Dalcho,  the  chairman  cf  the  committee  on  the  new  code  of 
by-laws,  for  the  future  government  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  presented  a 
report  and  a  copy  of  the  by-laws,  when  it  was  determined  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  should  be  specially  convened  for  the  consideration  of 
these  by-laws,  on  the  last  Friday  in  April. 

Accordingly  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled  on  the  30th  of  April,  when 
a  further  adjournment  took  place  until  the  third  Friday  in  May. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  the  new  rules  and  regulations  were  severally 
read  and  discussed,  and,  after  being  amended,  were  adopted  as  far  as 
the  18th  rule,  inclusive.  It  was  then  determined  that  the  discussion 
should  be  continued  at  a  communication  to  be  holdeu  on  Monday  even- 
ing, the  24th  of  May. 

Among  the  alterations  proposed  at  the  meeting  on  the  21st  of  May, 
was  one  providing  for  a  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the 
town  of  Columbia.  This  was  an  important  provision,  as  since  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  17o6,  no  communication 
of  that  bo  ;y,  or  of  any  of  its  successors,  had  been  holden  outside  of 
the  city  of  Charleston,  which  thus  by  long  usage  had  become  the 
"Grand  East"  of  the  jurisdiction.  The  subject  of  the  proposed  altera- 
tion  occupied,  therefore,  the   serious  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 


IS   SOUTH  CAROLINA  j«r 

and  at  the  meeting  on  the  24th  of  May,  it  was  resolved  that  the  new 
rules  should  be  referred  to  a  committee,  who  were  to  revise  them  and 
render  them  conformable  to  the  proposed  alteration  in  the  17th  rule 
winch  provided  for  one  annual  Communication  in  Columbia.  Brothers 
John  S.  Cogdell,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  H.  H.  Bacot,  Corresponding 
Grand  Secretary,  and  Charles  S.  Tucker,  Grand  Treasurer,  were  ap- 
pointed the  committee,  and  they  were  directed  to  report  at  a  special 
Communication,  to  be  holden  on  the  18th  of  June. 

At  the  special  Communication  on  the  18th  of  June,  the  committee 
made  their  report,  when  the  17th  and  18th  rules  were  reconsidered 
and,  together  with  the  19th,  20th,  and  21st,  were,  after  sundry  amend- 
ments, adopted.  It  was  then  determined  to  hold  a  special  Communica- 
tion on  the  23d  of  June,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  remainder 
of  the  rules. 

On  the  23d  of  June  the  discussion  of  the  by-laws  was  resumed 
and  to  quote  the  words  of  the  record,  «  after  going  through  the  same,' 
rule  by  rule,  and  making  sundry  alterations  and  amendments  thereto 
they  were  severally  and  respectively  agreed  to;  and  the  question  being 
then  taken  upon  the  whole,  as  thus  amended,  (comprising  thirty  rules) 
they  were  unanimously  agreed  to  and  adopted  as  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina 
and  ordered  to  be  recorded  on  the  journals." 

These  rules  and  regulations  were  the  first  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  since  the  union,  and  they  continued  with  but  few  alterations  to 
be  the  code  for  its  government  until  the  year  18(50,  when  they  were 
displaced  by  the  present  Constitution.  These  old  regulations,  although 
now  obsolete,  are  not  unworthy  of  inspection  as  a  fair  exposition  of  the 
condition  of  Masonry  and  the  views  of  leading  Masons  at  the  time  of 
their  adoption.  In  some  particulars  manifest  violations  of  the  old  land- 
marks will  be  perceived,  which  are  to  be  attributed  to  the  influence  of 
the  old  York  Masons,  one  of  whom,  Dr.  Dalcho,  was  the  chairman  of 
the  committee  who  prepared  them.  But,  on  the  whole,  it  cannot  be 
denied  that  for  the  times,  when  Masonic  jurisprudence  had  not  been 
made  an  important  study,  they  present  an  efficient  and  not  very  ob- 
jectionable system. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  June,  the  Grand  Master,  Brother 
Thomas  \Y .  Bacot,  reported  that  he  had  visited  the  Lodges  in  the  city 
and  found  -everything  to  have  been  conducted  with  regularity  and 
economy." 

On  the  13th  of  May,  the  Grand  Master  in  person  constituted  Friend- 


[40  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ship  Lodge  No  9,  which  had  been  revived  by  dispensation,  and  a  new 
warrant  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  On  the  7th  of  May,  he  issued 
a  dispensation  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Claiborne,  Alabama,  directed  to  John 
Murphy  as  the  first  Master. 

Hitherto  the  meetings  of  the  Grand,  and  most  of  the  Subordinate 
Lodges,  were  holden  at  the  tavern  of  Brother  James  Galloway,  at  the 
corner  of  Meeting  and  Market  streets.  But  on  the  6th  of  July,  ISIS, 
an  extensive  conflagration,  in  that  part  of  the  city,  destroyed  Gallo- 
way's house,  and  temporarily  deprived  the  Fraternity  of  a  place  of 
meeting,  and  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges  of  most  of  their  fur- 
niture. Application  was,  however,  made  by  the  Grand  Master  to  Mr. 
Adam  Tunno,  for  the  loan  of  the  Carolina  Coffee  House,  at  the  corner 
of  Tradd  street  and  Bedon's  Alley,  which  happened  at  that  time  to  be 
unoccupied,  but  which  had  long  before,  and  was  for  some  time  after- 
wards, well  known  as  a  popular  tavern,  and  one  of  the  rooms  of  which 
had  in  former  times  been  consecrated  and  used  as  a  Grand  Lodge 
room.  The  loan  was  granted,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  held  its  Quarterly 
Communication  on  the  24th  of  September  at  the  Carolina  Coflee  House. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  new  code  of  By-Laws,  an 
Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  holden  at  Columbia 
on  the  3d  of  December,  and  an  adjourned  one  on  the  following  day. 
Both  appear  to  have  been  signal  failures.  At  neither  of  them  did  any 
Grand  or  Subordinate  Officer  appear,  except  the  Deputy  Grand  Master. 
At  the  first  meeting  the  representatives  of  only  ten  Lodges  appeared, 
and  at  the  second,  the  number  was  diminished  to  five.  No  business  of 
importance  was  transacted.  Brother  Charles  S.  Tucker  delivered,  in 
what  is  said  to  have  been  "an  able  and  satisfactory  manner,"  lectures 
on  the  three  symbolic  degrees.     The  Grand  Lodge  was  th«n  closed. 

The  Grand  Lodge  held  its  Quarterly  Communication  in  Charleston, 
on  the  17th  of  December.  The  annual  election  of  Grand  Officers  took 
place. 

Some  doubt  was  entertained,  whether  the  Subordinate  Officers  were 
to  be  appointed  or  elected  under  the  new  code  of  by-laws;  and  it  was, 
therefore,  resolved,  that  for  the  sake  of  dispatch,  the  Grand  Officers 
should,  on  that  occasion,  make  the  appointment  of  the  Subordinate 
Officers  as  early  as  practicable  after  the  meeting;  and  that  the  Grand 
Officers  should  take  the  subject  into  consideration,  and  recommend 
what,  in  their  opinion,  would  be  the  best  mode  of  amending  the  rules 
so  as  to  make  them  explicit  and  clear  upon  that  point,  as  well  as  any 
other  which  they  might  find  to  require  explanation. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  j4? 

Accordingly,  the  Grand  Officers  met  at  the  Bank  of  South  Carolina, 
of  which  the  Grand  Blaster  was  President,  and  made  the  necessary 
appointments. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated  in  1819. 
The  Grand  Lodge  met  at  Brother  Pearcc's  in  Meeting  street,  (which 
had  now  become  the  general  place  of  meeting  for  the  Lodges,)  in  the 
morning  of  the  27th  of  December.  Jarvis  H.  Stevens,  a  Past  Deputy 
Grand  iMaster,  installed  the  Grand  Master  elect,  Brother  Thomas  W. 
Bacot,  who  had  been  reelected,  aud  the  latter  installed  the  remaining 
officers. 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  formed  and  went  in  procession,  accompanied 
by  an  excellent  band  of  music,  to  St.  Philip's  Church,  where  Divine 
Service  was  performed,  and  an  appropriate  sermon  delivered  by  the 
Grand  Chaplain,  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho.  A  collection  was  then  made 
for  the  charity  fund,  which  amounted  to  fifty-five  dollars,  and  the  pro- 
cession  returned  in  the  same  order  to  the  Grand  Lodge  room,  where  the 
usual  votes  of  thanks  were  passed. 

A  tribute  of  respect  was  then  paid  to  Brother  John  H.  Mitchell, 
lately  Grand  Secretary,  in  the  adoption  of  a  resolution,  that  the  thanks 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  presented  to  him  as  a  tribute  of  respect  for  his 
services  as  Grand  Secretary;  that  his  name  be  recorded  as  a  member 
of  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  that  the  Grand  Treasurer  yearly  balance  his 
account  without  making  any  demands  upon  him. 


248  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


,  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
Samuel  Seyle 


[■  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    YEAR   1820. 

At  the  preceding  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  following 
Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1820,  had  been  installed  : 

Thomas  W.  Bacot,  Grand  Master  ; 
John  S.  Cogdell,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 
Charles  Kershaw,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 
Richard  Maynard,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 
Rev.  Fred.  Dalcho,  Grand  Chaplain; 
Charles  S.  Tucker,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 
Jos.  Galluchat,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 
Peter  Javain,  \ 

3,) 

Benjamin  Phillips, 

C.  C.  Chitty, 

Richard  Pearce,  i 

John  Innes,  V  Grand  Stewards ; 

Lewis  Rechon,      J 

Charles  Cleapor,  Grand  Marshal ; 

William  Waller,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  31st  of  March,  1820,  the 
Grand  Officers,  to  whom  had  been  referred  the  new  rules  and  regula- 
tions, with  a  request  that  they  would  recommend  the  best  mode  of 
explaining  and  amending  thein  wherever  necessary,  made  a  report  re- 
commending that  the  Senior  Grand  Beacons  should  be  appointed  by 
the  Grand  Master,  and  the  Junior  Grand  Deacons  by  the  Senior  Grand 
Warden,  as  had  always  been  the  custom,  and  that  the  remaining  Grand 
Officers  should  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master.  This  report  was 
adopted,  and  the  usage  has  so  continued  to  the  present  day,  with  the 
exception  that  the  appointment  of  the  Grand  Stewards  was  subsequently 
made  the  duty  of  the  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

They  also  recommended  that  twenty-nine  dollars  should  be  the  fee 


EN'  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  149 

for  initiating,  passing  and  raising  a  Mason,  which  recommendation  was 
adopted,  and  the  amount  was  distributed  as  follows  : 

For  the  degree  of  Entered  Apprentice,          -         -         -  $10 

For  that  of  Fellow  Craft,         -         -                  -         -  5 

For  that   of  Master   Mason, 5 

To  the  Tiler,  for  the  3  degrees,         -  3 

To  the  Charity  Fund,  for  the  3  degrees,         ...  3 

To  the  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  3  degrees,         ...  3 

In  all, $29 

The  rules  provided  that  the  proxy  of  each  Lodge  should  be  annually 
appointed  by  the  Lodge.  This  seems  to  have  been  a  wholesome  pro- 
vision by  which  the  proxy  system,  at  all  times  a  bad  one,  might  at 
least  be  guarded  by  some  responsibility,  and  the  evil  of  a  permanent 
and  irresponsible  representation  be,  to  some  extent,  avoided.  It  seemed, 
however,  to  the  Grand  Officers  to  be  an  objectionable  feature,  and  they 
therefore  recommended  the  erasure  of  the  clause  in  the  18th  rule, 
which  provided  that  the  proxy  of  a  Lodge  should  be  annually  appointed. 
Fortunately  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not  agree  with  them  in  opinion,  and 
the  recommendation  was  not  adopted. 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  the  establishment  of  a  Lodge  at  the  city 
of  Havana  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  to  be  called  "  La  Amenidad  No.  52," 
of  which  the  following  were  the  officers : 

Abraham  Elcid,  Worshipful  Master; 
Carlos  Baeza,  Senior  Warden  ; 
Rafael  Lorente,  Junior  Warden  ; 
and  Bro.  Cavellero  was  appointed  the  proxy  of  the  Grand  Master  to 
constitute  the  Lodge,  and  to  install  the  officers. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  June,  a  petition 
was  received  from  sundry  brethren,  formerly  members  of  Lodge  No. 
30,  at  St.  Augustine,  praying  for  a  warrant  for  a  new  Lodge,  which  was 
referred  to  the  Grand  Officers,  and  a  warrant  was  by  them  issued  for 
the  establishment  of  the  Lodge  of  Floridian  Virtues  No.  28,  in  the 
city  of  St.  Augustine,  of  which  John  Geiger  was  Master,  Bernardo 
Segui,  Senior  Warden,  and  Anthony  Treay,  Junior  Warden. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  September,  a  war- 
rant was  granted  for  the  establishment  of  Mount  Pleasant  Lodge  No. 
49,  at  Dutchman's  Creek,  in  Fairfield  District. 

Hitherto  the  Grand  Lodge  had  published  no  abstract  of  its  proceed- 


150  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ings,  except  an  account  of  the  Union  in  1817,  but  at  this  Communi- 
cation it  was  ordered  that  an  abstract  of  the  proceedings  for  the  past 
three  years,  should  be  published  and  distributed. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  the  approaching 
Festival  of  St.  John,  and  Dr.  Dalcho  was  requested  to  deliver  a  sermon 
on  the  occasion. 

On  the  1st,  the  5th  and  7th  of  December,  an  Annual  Communica- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  holden  at  Columbia.  This  was  still 
worse  attended  than  the  one  in  the  preceding  year.  Not  a  single 
officer,  from  the  Grand  Master  to  Grand  Tiler,  except  the  Deputy,  was 
present,  and  all  the  chairs  were  filled  by  temporary  appointments,  Bro. 
John  S.  Cogdell,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  presiding.  No  business 
of  any  importance  was  transacted. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  Charleston,  on  the  15th  of 
December,  the  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers,  when 
Bro.  Bacot  having  declined  a  reelection,  Bro.  John  S.  Cogdell  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

Previous  to  the  election,  the  Grand  Master  addressed  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  an  affecting  manner.  In  the  cour?e  of  his  address  he  an- 
nounced the  pleasing  fact  that  the  Freemasons'  Hall  Company,  after 
much  labor  and  difficulty,  during  a  period  of  more  than  ten  years,  had 
at  length  succeeded  in  the  purchase  of  a  local  habitation  and  a  home  for 
the  Lodges,  in  the  recent  purchase  of  a  spacious  lot  and  commodious 
buildings  in  Meeting  Street.  This  is  the  lot  of  ground  which  was 
subsequently  sold  by  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  new  Theatre  Company, 
and  is  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Charleston  Theatre. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  return  the  affectionate  thanks  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  the  Grand  Master,  for  his  "long,  faithful  and  meri- 
torious services." 

An  adjourned  Communication  was  held  on  the  21st  of  December,  but 
no  business  of  importance  was  transacted. 

The  Grand  Officers  met  at  the  house  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  the 
Subordinate  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  appointed.  It  seems 
singular,  that  by  some  misunderstanding  of  what  must  evidently  have 
been  the  object  of  the  rule,  the  appointments  were  made  this  year  as 
had  been  done  in  the  preceding  year,  not  by  the  Grand  Officers  elect, 
but  by  the  old  Grand  Officers.  This  usage  continued  until  the  year 
1823,  when,  in  the  Grand  Mastership  of  Gen.  Geddes,  the  prerogative 
began  to  be  properly  exercised,  and  the  appointments  were  made  by  the 
newly  elected  Grand  Officers. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  Jgj 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Grand  Lodge  and  the  Fraternity  met  in  general  communication  at  the 
Grand  Lodge  room.  Brother  John  S.  Cogdell  was  installed  by  the  late 
Grand  Master,  and  then  proceeded  to  install  the  other  officers.  A  pro- 
cession was  afterwards  formed,  which  moved  to  St.  Michael's  Church, 
where  "an  excellent  and  appropriate  discourse"  was  delivered  by  Dr. 
l'alcho.  A  collection  was  made  for  the  charity  fund,  and  the  Masonic 
body  returned  to  the  Graud  Lodge  room,  where  the  new  Grand  Master 
pronouueed  an  inaugural  address,  in  the  course  of  which  he  paid  a 
warm  tribute  to  his  predecessor,  and  expatiated  on  the  duties  and  obli- 
gations of  Masonry.  One  passage  in  this  address  is  well  worthy  of 
preservation.  After  denying  that  Brotherly  Love  and  Friendship 
"consist  in  that  pecuniary  assistance  which  may  be  rendered  to  a 
member  of  the  Craft,  to  give  an  impetus  to  his  affairs  in  life,  or  to  rear 
for  him  an  establishment,"  he  thus  more  accurately  defines  these  "twin 
stars"  of  Masonry. 

"Brotherly  Love  and  Friendship  is  that  affection  of  Masons,  one 
towards  another,  which  is  born  at  our  initiation,  and  grows  and 
strengthens  with  every  degree;  which  is  ever  ready  to  defend  the  fame 
of  a  brother;  which  will  protect  the  innocence  of  his  family,  and 
prompt  him  to  pursue  the  way  he  should  go,  where  dangers  beset  his 
path;  will  caution  him  against  his  enemy,  and  often  against  the  worst 
of  enemies,  himself;  will  apprise  him  of  his  aberrations  from  the  lines 
laid  down  upon  the  trestle  board,  by  which  he  might  derange  the  har- 
mony and  glory  of  our  Temple,  and  cease  to  deserve  wages  of  the 
Great  Grand  Master  above. 

" Brotherly  Love  and  Friendship  is  that  high  sense  of  duty,  com- 
bined with  zeal,  which  would  hazard  property,  liberty  and  life,  to  serve 
an  injured  and  suffering  biother." 

After  the  usual  votes  of  thanks  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed. 
There  were  at  this  time  forty-two  Lodges  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  whose  names,  numbers  and  places 
of  meeting  were  as  follows : 

Solomon's  No.  1,  met  at  Charleston. 

Marine  No.  2  " 

L'Etoile  Renaissant  No.  3, 

Union  Kilwinning    No.  4, 

No.  5, 

Union  No.  6,  " 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


Washington 

No.    7, 

met  at  Charleston. 

Union 

No.    8, 

« 

Friendship 

No.    9, 

u 

St.  Andrew's 

No.  10, 

a 

No.  12, 

Hughes'  Creek,  Union  District. 

St.  John's 

No.  13, 

Charleston. 

Orange 

No.  14, 

« 

Beekhamsville 

No.  16, 

Beekhamsville. 

Chester 

No.  18, 

Chester  Court  House. 

Harmony 

No.  20, 

Edisto  Island. 

Pythagorean 

No.  21, 

Charleston. 

Harmony 

No.  22, 

Beaufort. 

Perfect  Friendship 

No.  23, 

St.  Helena. 

Spartanburg 

No.  24, 

Spartanburg  Court  House. 

Marion 

No.  25, 

Marion  Court  House. 

Sumterville 

No.  26, 

Sumter  Court  House. 

Newberry  District 

No.  27, 

Newberry  District. 

Floridian  Virtues 

No.  28, 

St.  Augustine,  Florida. 

Kershaw 

No.  29, 

Camden. 

Mount  Moriah 

No  30, 

Pipe  Creek,  Beaufort  District. 

Recovery 

No.  31, 

Greenville  Court  House. 

Philanthropic 

No.  32, 

Yorkville. 

Cambridge 

No.  ?3, 

Cambridge. 

La  Candeur 

No.  36, 

Charleston. 

St.  John's 

No.  37, 

St.  John's,  Santee. 

Columbia 

No.  39, 

Columbia. 

Winyaw 

No.  40, 

Georgetown. 

Liberty  Hill 

No.  42, 

Liberty  Hill,  Kershaw  District. 

Union  Court  House  No.  43, 

Union  Court  House. 

Eden 

No.  45, 

Clarendon. 

Edgefield 

No.  46, 

Abney's  Store,  Edgefield  Dist. 

Mount  Hope 

No.  48, 

Pocotaligo. 

Mount  Pleasant 

No.  49, 

Dutchman's  Creek,  Fairfield  Dt. 

La  Constancia 

No.  50, 

Havana,  Cuba. 

Claiborne 

No.  51, 

Claiborne,  Alabama. 

La  Amenidad 

No.  52, 

Havana,  Cuba. 

IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  153 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Tin:    VKAR    1821. 

The  Graud  Lodge  commenced  the  year  1821  with  the  following 
Officers : 

John  S.  Cogdell,  Grand  Master; 

Joel  R  Poinsett,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Isaac  M.  Wilson,  M.D.,  S'-nior  Grand  Warden; 

Henry  H.  Bacot,  Junior  Grind  Warden} 

Rev.  F.  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Grand  Chaplain; 

Charles  S.  Tucker,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Rev.  Jos.  GALLUCHAT,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 


Peter  Javain,  )   „    .      „       ,  n 

\  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
E,  ) 


Samuel  Seyle, 

Charles  C.  Chitty,  )  ,     .     n       7  n 

'  \  Junior  G rand  Deacons  ; 

R.   W.  COGDELL,  j 

CHARLES  CLEAPOR,   Grand  Marshal ; 

William  Waller,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

John  Innes,  ^ 

Lewis  Rechon,         ( 

■nr  r>  i  Grand  Stewards ; 

William  Bailey, 

John  31.  Fraser,     J 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March,  a  warrant 
was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Lodge  No.  44,  at  Newberry  Court 
House,  to  be  registered  as  No.  11. 

A  communication  was  read  from  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  in  Havana,"  announcing  that  a  Grand  Lodge  had  been 
organized  there,  and  requesting  friendly  communications  with  this 
Grand  Lodge,  and  also  stating  that  La  Amenidad  Lodge  No.  52,  now 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  prayed  that  it  might  be 
permitted  to  surrender  its  present  warrant,  as  it  was  the  wish  of  its 
members  that  the  Lodge  should  be  enrolled  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ilavaua. 


1 54  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  prayer  was  of  course  complied  with,  and  the  Grand  Secretary 
was  directed  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  communication,  to 
reciprocate  the  feelings  which  it  expressed,  and  to  solicit  a  further 
correspondence. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  showed  that  there  were  $2,363 
in  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  cash  and  investments. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  June,  the  Committee 
of  Grand  Officers,  to  whom  the  complaint  made  by  some  of  the  country 
Lodges  of  the  high  rates  charged  in  the  fee  bill  had  been  referred, 
made  a  report  recommending  that  the  fees  now  paid  by  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  in  the  country  to  the  charity  fund  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be 
retained  by  them,  and  used  as  a  charity  fund  in  their  own  jurisdic- 
tion. The  report  was  recommitted,  and  continued  to  elicit  discussion 
at  several  meetings,  until  the  30th  of  March,  1822,  when  the  following- 
rule  was  adopted : 

"The  fees  directed  to  be  paid  to  the  charity  fund  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  country  may  be  retained  for 
charitable  uses  :  Provided  they  make  an  annual  return  of  the  sum 
collected  for  that  purpose ;  the  name  or  names  of  every  Brother  or 
Brother's  family  whom  they  have  relieved,  and  the  amount  of  the 
charity  bestowed.     For  which  purpose, 

"Every  Subordinate  Lodge  in  the  country  shall  appoint  a  Standing 
Committee,  in  such  manner  as  they  may  deem  proper,  who  shall  dis- 
pense the  charity  fund  of  each  Lodge,  or  any  portion  thereof,  during 
the  recess  of  their  respective  Lodges.  Notices  of  these  appointments, 
and  of  the  names  of  the  Committee,  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  immediately,  and,  hereafter,  in  their  annual  returns." 

In  consequence  of  the  adoption  of  this  rule,  for  many  years  after- 
wards, the  city  Lodges  paid  to  the  Grand  Lodge  four  dollars  and  a 
half  for  each  candidate  made  in  their  respective  Lodges,  while  the 
country  Lodges  paid  only  one  dollar.  This  to  many  appeared,  at  a 
long  subsequent  period,  when  the  motive  of  the  law  was  not  well 
understood,  to  be  unequal,  and  therefore  unjust  taxation.  But  it  was 
not  so.  The  country  Lodges  paid  no  tax  to  the  charity  fund  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  because  they  met  and  relieved  their  own  calls  for  charity, 
but  the  city  Lodges  were  required  to  pay  such  a  tax,  because  the 
Grand  Lodge  constituted  itself  their  almoner,  and  out  of  the  fund 
raised  by  this  taxation  dispensed  the  charity  of  the  city  Lodges.  In 
1858,  however,  the  distinction  becoming  very  obnoxious,  the  rule  was 
abolished,   and   the   taxation  was  made  equal  on    the   city  and   the 


IX  SOUTH  CAEOUXA. 


155 


country.  And  this  was  in  all  probability  wise  legislation,  for  the  city 
Lodges  now  disburs-j  out  of  their  owu  treasuries  a  large  amount  of 
charity,  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  being  much  less  in  proportion,  and 
principally  confined  to  the  applications  of  transient  persons. 

An  attempt  was  again  made  at  this  Communication  to  erase  the  rule 
which  required  the  annual  appointment  of  proxies.  The  motion  was 
made  by  Bro.  Thomas  W.  Bacot,  the  late  Grand  Master,  and  at  the 
succeeding  Quarterly  Communication  the  proposed  amendment  was 
adopted.  From  that  time  until  the  abandonment  of  the  whole  system, 
the  proxies  of  the  Lodges  held  the  office  for  an  indefinite  period,  the 
Lodges  often,  in  the  lapse  of  time,  forgetting  the  names  of  those  who 
were  said  to  represent  them  in  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  unwise  legisla- 
tion was  perhaps  one  of  the  principal  causes  which  led  to  the  total 
abolition  of  the  proxy  system  in  the  year  1858. 

At  this  Communication  a  form  of  Graud  Ledge  certificate  was 
adopted,  and  a  committee  ordered  to  have  a  plate  engraved. 

Warrants  of  constitution  were  granted  for  the  revival  of  Good  In- 
tention Lodge  No.  17,  (formerly  No.  56.)  at  Pensacola,  Florida,  and 
King  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  15,  (formerly  No.  17,)  at  Cheraw. 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  September,  the 
dues  of  Lodge  No.  51,  held  at  Claiborne,  Alabama,  were,  on  its  peti- 
tion, remitted,  in  consideration  of  the  expense  incurred  by  the  Lodge 
in  the  erection  of  a  Hall,  aud  the  amount  of  charity  which  it  had  been 
compelled  to  disburse  iu  consequence  of  sickness  which  prevailed  at 
Claiborne  during  the  summers  of  1819  and  1820. 

An  Annual  Communication  was  holden  at  Columbia  on  the  7th  and 
8th  of  December.  Again  there  were  no  Grand  Officers  preseut,  except 
the  Grand  Treasurer.  The  Master  of  Lodge  No.  24  presided  at  the 
first  meeting,  and  the  Grand  Treasurer  at  the  second. 

Columbia  Lodge  No.  39,  tendered  the  Grand  Lodge  the  use  of  their 
Lodge  room  whenever  the  Grand  Lodge  should  have  occasion  to  hold 
its  Communications  there,  "  in  consideration  that  the  said  Lodge  No. 
39  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  all  dues,  taxes  or  contributions  to 
the  Grand  Lodge."  As  the  dues  of  Lodge  No.  38  were  $184  for  the 
year  1824,  and  SI 79  for  1825,  and  could  not  have  been  much  less  on 
L821,  such  a  rent  would  have  been,  in  more  than  a  mere  techuical 
sense,  a  "  valuable  consideration."  The  proposition  was  not,  therefore, 
accepted  by  the  Cirand  Lodge. 

A  warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  to  Church   Hill  Lodge  No. 
19.  in   Abbeville  District,  of  which  A.  B.  Arnold   was  Master,  and  as 


156  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodge  No.  10,  formerly  held  in  Columbia,  had  become  extinct,  the 
jewels  and  furniture  of  the  extinct  Lodge  were  delivered  to  Church 
Hill  Lodge,  the  officers  of  the  latter  giving  their  obligation  to  pay  to 
the  Grand  Ludge  the  amount  at  which  the  said  jewels  and  furniture 
might  be  appraised. 

A  warrant  of  constitution  was  also  granted  to  Union  Lodge  No.  34, 
(formerly  No.  66,)  in   Abbeville  District,  L.  Randolph  being  Master. 

At  the  adjourned  Communication  on  the  8th  of  December,  Bro.  C. 
S.  Tucker  delivered  "  a  course  of  lectures  on  the  three  degrees  of 
Masonry." 

At  the  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  14th  of  December,  the 
aunual  election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place;  Bro.  John  S.  Cogdellwas 
reelected  Grand  Master. 

An  adjourned  Communication  was  held  on  the  21st  of  December. 
The  Grand  Lodge  took  into  consideration  an  enquiry  made  in  behalf 
of  Winnsboro'  Lodge  No.  11,  by  Brother  Young  J.  Harrington,  the 
Master,  in  relation  to  the  exact  purport  of  that  clause  in  the  "  Ahiman 
Rezon"  which  requires  every  candidate  to  be  "upright  in  body,  not 
deformed  or  dismembered  at  the  time  of  making,  but  of  hale  and  entire 
limbs,  as  a  man  ought  to  be."  The  enquiry  was  referred  to  a  commit- 
tee, of  which  Dr.  Dalcho  was  Chairman.  But  no  reply  was  ever  given, 
and  in  March,  1822,  the  Grand  Lodge  having  determined  that  it  would 
give  no  explauation  of  the  Rules  of  Masonry,  the  enquiry  of  Lodge 
No.  11  was  dismissed. 

At  this  Communication  Dr.  Dalcho  was  requested  to  prepare  a  new 
edition  of  his  Ahiman  Rezon,  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  with  such  improvements,  additions  and  alterations,  as  he  might 
deem  necessary,  in  order  to  adapt  it  to  the  present  state  of  the  Craft  in 
the  jurisdiction.  A  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  the  Grand  and 
Deputy  Grand  Masters,  with  Brothers  I.  M.  Wilson,  H.  H.  Bacot  and 
Thomas  D.  Condy,  was  appointed  to  examine  the  proposed  alterations, 
amendments  and  additions,  and  to  report  their  cpinion  to  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  Festival  of  St  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  There 
was  a  procession  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  and  an  appropriate  sermon  by 
Dr.  Dalcho.  On  the  return  of  the  procession  to  the  Lodge  room,  the 
Grand  Officers  were  installed  ;  the  Grand  Master  by  Bro.  T.  W.  Bacot, 
Past  Grand  Master,  and  the  rest  of  the  Grand  and  subordinate  officers 
by  the  Grand  Master. 

At  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  Grand  Lodge  again  met,  when  the  Grand 
Master  addressed  the  Brethren  in  a  short  but  appropriate  charge. 


in  south  Carolina.  \r,\ 


CHAPTEK    XV. 

THE    YEAR    1822. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year 
1822: 

John  S.  Cogdell,  Grand  Master; 

Isaac  M.  Wilson,  M.D.,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Henry  H.  Bacot,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

William  Waller,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Rev.  Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,   Grand  Chaplain  ; 

Charles  S.  Tucker,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Richard  W.  Cogdell,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Peter  Javain,  )  0    .     n       7  n 

'  V  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Samuel  Seyle,  ) 

Augustus  Follin,  )    ,     .     n       ■,  n 

'  y  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
James  C.  Norris,  ) 

Charles  Cleapor,  Grand  Marshal ; 

Benjamin  Phillips,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

John  M.  Fraser,  ^ 

Isaac  A.  Johnson,  M.D., 

t„»„.   yx   _  „  ,    T  r  Grand  Steicards ; 

John  Dawson,  Jr., 

Allan  McDonald,  J 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1821,  a  special  Communication  was  called, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  protest  of  Barnard  Levy,  Junior  Warden 
of  Lodge  No.  13.     The  circumstances  were  as  follows: 

At  the  regular  meeting  of  St.  John's  Lodge  No  13,  in  the  city  of 
Charleston,  which  took  place  on  the  5th  of  December,  1821,  it  being 
the  constitutional  night  of  election,  one  was  entered  iuto.  Charles  C. 
Chitty  was  duly  elected  Master  by  a  majority  of  votes,  but  the  rest  of 
the  officers  were  elected  unconstitutionally,  the  successful  candidates 
having  received  only  a  plurality  of  one  vote,  and  three  illegal  votes 
haviug  been  cast.     The  night  of  the  12th  of  December  was  appointed 


[38  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

bv  the  Lodge  for  the  installation  of  the  officers.  On  that  night  the 
Lodge  met,  of  course  in  a  special  communication,  when  a  protest  was 
entered  against  the  preceding  election,  which  was  declared  to  be  illegal, 
and  the  Lodge  at  once  proceeded  to  a  new  election,  and  to  the  instal- 
lation of  the  officers  so  elected.  On  this,  Levy,  the  Junior  Warden 
under  the  first  election,  brought  a  protest  up  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred,  reported  and  made 
the  following  points  of  Masonic  law,  which  were  concurred  iu  by  the 
Grand  Lodge: 

"The  time  prescribed  by  the  constitution  for  the  election  of  officers, 
is  the  regular  night  of  meeting  preceding  St.  John  the  Evangelist's 
day.  The  constitution  also  declares,  that  no  Lodge  can,  at  an  extra 
meeting,  alter  or  expunge  the  proceedings  of  a  regular  meeting. 

"It  is  evident  that  those  two  constitutional  rules  were  violated  by 
the  proceedings  of  the  said  Lodge,  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  Decem- 
ber; and  the  election  then  held  was,  therefore,  unconstitutional.  The 
election  of  Brother  C.  C.  Chitty  being  regular,  he,  if  installed  on  or 
before  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  will  preside  as  Master;  if  not, 
the  former  Master  must  preside.  The  present  Wardens,  Secretary, 
Treasurer,  &c,  must  preside  agreeably  to  the  rules,  until  a  new  election 
shall  be  ordered  by  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge." 

This  report  having  been  concurred  in  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand 
Master  was  authorized  to  issue  a  dispensation  to  the  members  of  St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  13,  to  enter  into  an  election  for  officers  for  the  present 
year,  at  their  next  regular  communication. 

A  warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  at  this  communication  for  the 
revival  of  Prudence  Lodge  No  35,  (formerly  No.  46,)  in  the  city  of 
Charleston. 

In  consequence  of  the  death  of  Brother  Charles  Cleapor,  the  Grand 
Marshal,  a  special  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  con- 
vened on  the  23d  of  February,  to  attend  his  funeral.  His  remains 
were  interred  with  Masonic  honors  in  the  cemetery  of  St.  Philip's 
Church. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March.  In  consequence 
of  an  application  by  Lodge  No.  11,  for  an  explanation  of  one  of  the 
laws  laid  down  in  the  Ahiman  Rezon,  to  which  I  have  already  referred, 
the  Grand  Lodge  resolved,  that  "it  would  not  take  notice  of  any  ap- 
plication for  an  explanation  of  the  rules  of  Masonry,  uuless  where  a 
case  has  occurred  which  requires  a  dispensation  of  the  ordinary  regu- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  J.yj 

lations  of  Masonry,  and  on  a  regular  application  for  such  dispen- 
sation."* 

The  fees  of  country  Lodges,  to  be  paid  to  the  charity  fund  of  the 
Graud  Lodge,  amounting  to  three  dollars  for  each  candidate  who 
received  the  three  degrees,  were,  by  an  amendment  to  the  constitution, 
remitted,  and  the  country  Lodges  were  ordered  to  place  this  amount  in 
their  own  charity  fund. 

By  a  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Grand  Treasurer's  books,  it  ap- 
peared that,  at  this  time,  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  amounted  to 
$3,358  77 J,   of  which  $264  consisted  of  arrears  due   by    members. 

It  having  been  found  necessary  that  the  Grand  Lodge  should  remove 
from  its  present  place  of  meeting,  at  Bro.  Pearce's,  in  Meeting  Street, 
it  was  determined  that  the  'J rand  Officers  be  authorized  to  obtain  a 
suitable  place  for  holding  the  next  Quarterly  Communication.  Accord- 
ingly, Bro.  Samuel  Seyle  having  fitted  up  a  house  in  King  Street,  on 
the  East  side,  between  Market  and  Hasell  Streets,  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  societies  and  principally  Lodges,  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  most 
of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  city,  removed  to  that  place  and  con- 
tinued to  occupy  it  until  driven  from  it  by  the  disastrous  conflagration 
in  the  year  1838. 

The  Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  June,  was  held,  for 
the  first  time,  at  the  house  of  Bro.  Seyle.  Several  brethren,  residing 
in  Cheraw,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  certain  proceedings  in  King 
Solomon's  Lodge  No.  15,  working  at  that  place,  applied  for  a  warrant 
for  a  new  Lodge.  This  application,  together  with  an  adverse  memorial 
from  Lodge  No.  15,  was  laid  before  the  Grand  Lodge  and  referred  to  a 
committee.  At  the  next  Quarterly  Communication  that  committee  re- 
ported that  "  neither  the  population  of  the  place,  nor  the  circumstances 
set  forth  in  the  several  communications,  would  authorize  the  establish- 
ment of  another  Lodge,  without  interfering  with  that  harmony  which 
should  uniformly  prevail  among  brethren  of  the  Craft."  Accordingly 
the  application  for  a  new  Lodge  was  refused. 

A  communication  was  received  from  a  committee  of  Lodge  No.  19, 
at  Laurens  C.  H.,  applying  for  a  warrant  of  constitution.  Lodge  No. 
19   had  been  under  the  jurisdiction   of  the  former  Grand  Lodge  of 


*  After  reading  such  a  resolution,  one  is  almost  tempted  to  inquire  whai  was 
the  use,  then,  of  a  Grand  Lodge  at  all.  Queer  notions,  the  Masons  of  that  day 
seem  to  have  had,  of  the  duties  and  prerogatives  of  the  controlling  head  of  tin' 
Order 


10(1  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Ancient  York  Masons,  and  at  the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  in 
1817,  does  not  appear  to  have  approved  of  the  union,  and  did  not,  ac= 
cordingly,  surrender  its  old  warrant  and  apply  for  a  new  one.  By  the 
resolution  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge  ou  this  subject  it  had,  there- 
fore, forfeited  its  warrant.  It  now,  however,  applied  for  a  new  one 
or  a  revival  of  the  old  one.  The  application  was  accompanied  by  a 
communication,  in  which  the  Lodge,  with  great  independence,  set 
forth  its  objections  to  many  parts  of  the  new  rules  and  regulations. 
As  this  was  one  ol  the  first  attempts,  on  the  part  of  a  Subordinate 
Lodge,  to  introduce  a  reform  in  the  legislation  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  an 
attempt  which  was,  after  long  exertions,  finally  successful  in  1858,  it 
is  proper  that  the  views  of  Lodge  No.  19  should  be  presented  to  the 
reader.  Unfortunately  the  original  communication  is  lost,  but  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  whom  the  communica- 
tion was  referred,  is  so  full  of  references  to  the  original  document,  that 
we  are  able  from  it  to  gather  the  sentiments  of  the  Lodge.  The  report 
of  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  made  at  the  next  Quarterly 
Communication,  is  as  follows  : 

"The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  a  letter  from  Lodge,  formerly 
No.  19,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons  in  this  State,  dated  at  Laurens  Court  House,  4th  of  May,  5822, 
accompanied  with  a  surrender  of  its  old  warrant,  and  a  request  for  a 
new  one  to  be  issued;  together  with  a  copy  of  sundry  resolutions  of 
said  Lodge,  report : 

"That  they  have  perused  the  said  letter  and  resolutions,  with  a 
mixture  of  surprise  and  regret,  and  cannot  but  consider  the  former  as 
containing  sentiments  and  expressions  disrespectful  towards  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  derogatory  to  its  Masonic  character. 

"It  is  premised,  that  although  the  union  of  the  two  late  Grand 
Lodges  in  this  State  was  consummated  on  the  27th  of  December,  5817, 
and  the  Subordinate  Lodges  under  their  respective  jurisdictions  were 
repeatedly  called  upon  to  surrender  their  old  warrants  and  obtain  new 
ones,  (and  no  less  than  forty-one  Lodges  have  done  so,)  yet  no  commu- 
nication until  the  present  has  been  received  from  Lodge  No.  19. 

"  This  Lodge,  thus  situated,  in  asking  for  a  new  warrant,  commences 
its  application  with  a  general  philippic  against  the  existing  constitution 
or  by-laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  followed  by  a  long  string  of  objections 
to  many  of  them. 

"This  letter  states,  first,  as  a  general  observation,  that,  ( in  the  new 
Masonic  Edifice,  there  is  wanting  that/ws^  proportion  of  parts  which  is 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  161 

essential  to  the  beauty  and  strengih'of  every  structure  raised  upon  the 
principles  which  we  profess  ;  that  when  associations  become  burthen- 
somr  and  oppremioe  to  the  individuals  who  compose  them,  if  they  can 
withdraw  themselves  they  will,  and  more  especially  when  such  a  state 
of  things  exists,  as  may  tempt  them  to  believe  that  others  are  deriving 
a  benefit  from  their  oppression.  Such  in  the  situation  of  Lodge  No.  10, 
and  probably  of  many  other  Lodge*  in  (he  upper  country,  in  relation  to 
the  Gram/  Lodge.' 

"Then  it  goes  on  to  state  the  following  particular  objections: 
"1st.  That  the  fees  for  initiation  are  too  high,  and  propose 

$8  for  the  1st  degree,  instead  of  $10, 
4  for  the  2d       "  "  5, 

4  for  the  3d  t*  5, 

$16  instead  of  $20, 

but.  at  the  same  time,  think  it  best  to  leave  it  to  each  Subordinate 
Lodii-e  to  regulate  its  own  initiation  fees. 

"The  next  objection  is  the  mode  of  assessing  each  Lodge  for  its 
dues,  or  contributions  to  the  Gr.nd  Lodge  in  aid  of  its  funds:  'how- 
ever sanctified  [sanctioned]  by  length  of  time,  the  principle  on  which 
such  assessment  is  made,  is  still  more  exceptionable,  as  it  is  done  in 
proportion  to  numbers,  and  operates  like  a  poll  tax,'  whilst  it  ought  to 
be  rather  'on  a  combined  ratio  of  numbers  aud  Lrnds.' 

"  The  third  objection  is  to  the  appointment  of  Proxies,  and  it  is 
suggested  that,  'that  part  of  the  20th  Rule,  which  orders  the  sus- 
pension of  a  Lodge  for  failing  to  make  such  appointment,  be  expunged.' 
The  letter  says,  '  from  several  years  experience,  we  find  it  worse  than 
useless  to  appoint  a  Proxy  resident  in  Charleston.' 

"The  17th  Rule,  respecting  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
at  Columbia,  is  next  objected  to.  It  is  said  to  be  inefficient  for  the 
purposes  desired  by  the  Lodges  in  the  country,  and,  it  is  added,  '  this 
has  been  a  constant  source  of  dissatisfaction  with  our  Lodge,  the 
members  of  which  arc  constantly  inquiring  what  has  been  done 
with  all  the  monies  paid  into  the  Grand  Lodge.'  This  inquiry  comes 
with  an  ill  grace  from  a  Lodge  which  is  uot  contributing  to  those 
funds. 

"  The  letter  then  states,  '  before  we  conclude,  permit  us  again  to 
assure  you  of  our  profound  attachment  to  the  principles  of  .Masonry, 
and  our  deep  conviction  of  the  necewity  of  a  common  head;  also,  that 
we  ardently  desire  to  live  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 

11 


1(12  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

of  Ancient  Fife- Mucins  of  South  Carolina:  hut,  while  we  make  this 
declaration,  we  wish  it  to  be  understood,  THAT  WE  EXPECT  to  be 
received  as  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  on  the  footing  of  equality  ;  to 
have  access  to  the  sanctum  sanctorum  in  some  practicable  way,  and  to 
have  a  reasonable  prospect  of  enjoying  a  share  of  the  benefits  to  be 
derived  from  so  excellent  an  institution,  and  not  to  be  ntained  as 
hewers  of  wood  ami  drawers  of  water.  We  have  already  demonstrated, 
that  under  the  existing  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  we  could  not 
even  long  survive;  o.:r  funds  would  be  soon  exhausted,  and  the  disso- 
lution of  the  body  would  follow  of  course.  Under  a  hope,  therefore, 
that  a  suitable  reduction  would  be  made,  the  Lodge  has  directed  the 
Secretary  to  make  application  for  a  new  warrant.' 

"  Your  Committee,  although  they  could  readily  meet  all  the  objec- 
tions urged  as  above  stated,  deem  it  inexpedient  in  the  present  instance 
to  do  so,  for  reasons  which  they  think  must  be  obvious,  and  merely 
content  themselves  with  bringing  to  the  view  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
foregoing  extracts  from  the  letter  submitted  to  them  for  their  consider- 
ation, from  which  may  be  discovered  the  temper  and  disposition  of  the 
Brethren  applying  for  a  New  Charter.  Far  is  it,  however,  from  our 
intention  to  insinuate  any  thing  which  may  call  in  question  the  purity 
of  the  motives  which  actuate  those  Brethren,  although  we  may  and  do 
differ  from  them. 

"  Your  Committee  fee1,  satisfied,  that  whilst  the  Grand  Lodge  will 
gladly  receive  into  the  bosom  of  its  family,  all  worthy  members  of  the 
Craft,  and  especially  those  who  have  heretofore  been  of  its  own  house- 
hold, (notwithstanding  th >  y  may  have  for  some  time  estranged  them- 
selves from  us.)  V  knows  how  to  preserve  its  own  dignity  and  to  manage 
its  own  concerns." 

In  conclusion,  the  committee*  condemned  the  letter  from  Lodge  No. 
19,  as  containing  "sentiments  and  expressions,  as  well  as  insinuations, 
which  could  not  but  be  construed  as  disrespectful  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
and  derogatoiy  to  its  Masonic  character,  although  they  may  not  have 
been  so  intended."  On  their  recommendation,  the  Grand  Lodge  ac- 
cordingly resolved,  that  Lodge  No.  19  should  be  informed,  that  when- 
ever an  application  should  be  made  for  a  new  warrant,  unincumbeied 
with  the  proposals  of  any  terms  or  conditions,  and  stating,  in  the  usual 
manner,  the    names   of   the    Master   and    Wardens,  such    application 

*  The  members  of  the  committee   were  Thomas  W.  Bacot,  W.  Waller,  C.  S. 
Tucker,  13.  Phillips  and  I.  A.  Johnson. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  163 

should  receive  from  the  Grand  Lodge  all  due  respect  and  brotherly 
attention.  The  Lodge  appears  to  have  availed  itself  of  this  intimation, 
for  Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurens  Court  ILnne,  is  recorded  in  the  registry 
of  this  year  with  a  new  number,  as  No.  41. 

The  committee*  appointed  to  examine  the  alterations  and  additions 
to  the  new  edition  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon,  directed  to  be  prepared  and 
published  by  Dr.  Frederick  Daleho,  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted  : 

"The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  altera- 
tions, amendments  and  additions  to  a  new  Edition  of  the  Ahiman 
Kcznn,  directed  to  be  prepared  and  published,  under  the  authority  of 
this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge,  beg  leave  to  Report: 

"That  vour  Committee  have  carefully  examined  the  proposed  new 
Edition  of  the  Ahimtu  llezon,  and  find  it  to  be  perfectly  consistent, 
with  the  Ancieo  Land  Marks  and  Constitutions  of  the  Order,  and 
conformable  to  the  Usages  and  Customs  of  the  Craft  in  South-Carolina. 
"Your  Committee,  at  the  same  time,  beg  leave  to  recommend  the 
scientific  and  explanatory  Notes,  which  our  Most  Reverend  Grand 
Chaplain  lias  added  to  this  Kdition,  under  the  conviction  that  they 
will  be  found  highly  interesting  and  instructive  to  the  Fraternity,  and 
calculated  to  promote  the  ho:  our  and  respectability  of  the  Order, 
among  those  who  are  ignorant  of  its  principles  and  its  rites. 

*'  Your  Committee,  therefore,  respectfully  recommend,  that  the  new 
Edition  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon,  prepared  by  cur  Rev.  Brother  FREDERICK 
DALCHO,  M.D  ,  b.:  adopted  as  the  Rook  of  Constitutions,  by  your  Most 
Worshipful  Grand  Lodge,and  that  the  (Jrand  Lodge  do  order  and  direct 
the  several  Lodges  under  your  Masonic  Jurisdiction,  to  adopt  and  use 
the  same  in  all  their  work,  and  to  be  governed  by  the  principles  and 
regulations  thereof,  and  by  none  other." 

The  work  was  accordingly  published  in  this  year,  with  the  following 
title  : 

"  An  Ahiman  llezon,  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Free-Masons  of  South-Carolina,  and  the  Lodges  under  the  Register 
and  Masonic  Jurisdiction  thereof.  Published  at  the  request  of  tho 
Grand  Lodge,  by  the  Rev.  Brother  Fred  rick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Assistant 
Minister   of  St.   Michael's  Church,   Charleston;   and   Chaplain   to  tho 


•Tin-  committee  consisted  of  John  S.  Cogdell,  Thomas  W.  Bacot  and  T. 
Ford.  Of  these,  the  first  and  second  were  fast  Grand  Masters,  and  the  last,  a 
Past  Junior  Grand  Warden. 


164  QISTORt  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Grand  Lodge,  &c,  &c.     Indocti  discant,  amenl  memimsse  periti.    The 

Second  Edition,  with  considerable  Additions  and  Explanatory  Notes. 
Charleston,  1822." 

This  book  continued  to  be  authority  for  the  government  of  the  Craft 
in  South  Carolina,  on  all  matters  not  referred  to  in  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations, until  the  year  1852,  when  it  was  superseded  by  the  "  Ahiman 
Rezon  or  Book  of  Constitutions,"  compiled  by  Dr.  Albert  G.  Mackey. 
Notwithstanding  its  necessary  popularity  as  a  Masonic  guide  in  the 
jurisdiction,  it  is  remarkable  that  another  edition  of  it  should  never 
have  been  printed.  Long  before  1852,  when  the  new  work  appeared, 
Dalcho's  Ahiman  Rezon  had  become  completely  "out  of  print."  None 
but  second  hand  copies,  and  these  only  with  great  difficulty,  could  be 
obtained  for  the  use  and  government  of  new  Lodges. 

Up  to  this  period,  we  find  no  reference  in  the  records  of  Masonry  in 
this  State  to  the  important  and  really  necessary  office  of  Grand  Lec- 
turer. Brother  C.  S  Tucker,  the  Grand  Treasurer,  who  appears  to 
have  paid  some  attention  to  the  esoteric  teachings  of  Masonry,  on 
several  occasions,  it  is  true,  delivered  lecturer  before  the  Grand  Lodge, 
on  the  three  degrees,  but  he  was  not  recognized  as  holding  auy  official 
position,  or  as  exercising  auy  appointed  authority  as  a  Masonic  teacher. 
The  Craft  were,  therefore,  left  to  their  own  unaided  exertions  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  ritual  and  ceremonial  landmarks  of  the 
Order. 

In  consequence  of  this  dearth  of  instruction,  many  persons,  totally 
unqualified,  and  teaching  each  one  a  different  system,  began  to  invade 
the  jurisdiction,  and,  as  a  necessary  result,  to  produce  confusion  and 
disorder  in  the  work.  The  names  of  none  of  these  self-constituted 
lecturers  have  been  banded  down,  with  the  exception  of  one  David 
Vinton,  perhaps  the  best  informed  of  them  all — at  least  I  judge  so, 
from  some  remains  of  his  teachings  which  I  have  beeu  enabled  to 
gather  from  old  Masons  who  were  his  contemporaries.  Vinton  taught 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  State  about  this  time,  but  was,  in  1823, 
expelled  from  Masonry  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  for 
some  act  of  immorality. 

The  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  thus,  at  last,  attracted  to  the 
evils  resulting  from  the  instructions  of  these  self-constituted,  and  often 
inefficient,  lecturers,  as  well  as  to  the  necessity  of  providing  for  the  in- 
tellectual wants  of  the  Craft  by  the  appointment  of  a  properly  qualified 
Grand  Lecturer.  Accordingly,  Dr.  Daleho,  of  all  the  members  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  one  most  competent  to  appreciate  the  evil  and  to 


L\  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  l(j.'» 

suggest  the  remedy,  proposed  two  series  of  resolutions  for  the  purpose 
of  attaining  these  ends,  which  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  first  series  of  resolutions,  which  condemned  the  practice  of 
unauthorized  lecturers,  were  in  these  words : 

"  Whereas  it  is  declared  by  the  general  Constitutions  of  the  Order, 
that  'all  Masonic  power  is  derived  from  the  Grand  Lodge,'  and  in  the 
'Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge'  it  is  likewise  declared 
that  'the  supreme  Masonic  authority  in  South-Carolina  exists,  solely, 
in  '  Th*  Grand  L<><I</<-  or'  Ancient  Free-Masons  of  South- Carolina:' 

"And  whereas  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  guard  the  Craft 
under  their  jurisdiction,  from  imposture  and  error,  and  to  make  such 
regulations  as  may  preserve  the  unity  and  correctness  of  their  work, 
according  to  the  Constitutions  and  Ancient  Landmarks  of  the  Order: 

"Therefore,  Resolved,  That  no  Subordinate  Lodge  under  the  juris- 
diction of  this  Grand  Lodge,  shall  encourage,  promote,  or  permit,  the 
delivery  of  any  Lectures,  said  to  be  Masonic,  without  authority  from 
the  Grand  Lodge,  or  a  dispensation  from  the  presiding  Officer  thereof. 
And  before  such  authority  or  dispensation  shall  be  granted,  such 
Lectures,  or  course  of  Masonic  instruction,  shall  be  delivered  iu  the 
presence  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  of  the  Officers  thereof,  with  such 
ether  enlightened  and  intelligent  Masons  as  may  be  appointed  or 
invited  for  the  purpose.  And  if  any  Lodge  shall  so  encourage, 
promote,  or  permit,  such  Lectures,  or  course  of  Masonic  instruction, 
to  be  delivered,  without  such  authority  or  dispensation,  such  Lodge 
shall  be  suspended  from  their  work,  or  be  deprived  of  their  Warrant 
of  Constitution,  as  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  their  wisdom,  may  think 
proper  to  direct. 

"And  whereas  the  Grand  Lodge  deem  it  unbecoming  the  Masonic 
character,  and  highly  disrespectful  and  derogatory  to  their  honor  and 
independence,  for  any  Brother,  not  belonging  to  this  jurisdiction,  to 
interfere  in  their  Masonic  concerns  ;  to  deliver  Lectures  without  com- 
petent authority;  to  dictate  what  is,  and  what  is  not,  the  course  of 
instruction  which  the  Free  Masons  of  Carolina  ought  to  pursue;  and 
to  introduce  and  teach  systems  which  may,  or  may  not,  be  conforma- 
ble to  the  real  principles  of  the  Order,  and  of  which  the  Grand  Lodge 
arc  entirely  ignorant,  or,  when  informed,  might  disapprove : 

"Therefore,  be  it  Resolved,  That  any  Free-Mason  so  lecturing,  with- 
out the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  of  the  presiding  Grand  Officer, 
as  aforesaid,  shall,  on  due  proof  thereof  before  the  Grand  Lodge,  be 
expelled  from  the  Masonic  Order,  and  his  namo  and  offence  be  brans 


IQQ  HISTORY  OF  FREKMASOXRY 

initted  by  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary,  to  every  Grand  Lodge 
with  whom  we  correspond. 

"R.  solved,  That  these  regulations  are  not  intended  to  restrain  the 
Masters  or  presiding  Officers  of  Lodges  from  delivering  the  usual 
course  of  instruction  from  the  Chair,  according  to  ancient  form  and 
usage. 

"  Resolved,  That  when  these  resolutions  shall  be  adopted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  do  transmit  copies 
thereof  to  every  Grand  Lodge  with  whom  we  correspond,  and  invite 
their  co-operation,  by  enacting  similar  rules  in  their  several  jurisdic- 
tions, and  by  giving  publicity  to  these  regulations." 

The  other  resolutions  declared  that  for  the  purpose  of  communicat- 
ing to  all  the  Lodg.;s  in  the  State  a  uniform  system  of  working,  lec- 
turing, &c,  an  Inspector  .should  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Officers, 
whose  duty  it  should  be  to  visit  the  several  Lodges  as  often  as  the 
Grand  Lojge  might  think  proper  to  direct,  and  to  instruct  them  in 
such  matters  as  might  be  necessary  for  their  information.  IJefore  such 
Inspector  should  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  he  was  to  work  and 
lecture  in  the  presence  of  the  Grand  Officers  and  of  such  other  enlig  t- 
ened  Masons  as  mi^ht  be  invited  to  attend,  so  that  the  Grand  Lodge 
might  be  satisfied  that  his  system  was  conformab'e  with  the  ancient 
Constitutions  and  Landmarks  of  the  Order.  lie  was  to  be  remunerated 
by  an  appropriation  out  of  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  a 
specific  appropriation  from  every  Lodge  which  he  should  visit  and  in- 
struct, by  the  subscription  of  zealous  individuals,  who  felt  desirous  of 
promoting  the  olject,  or  by  any  other  mode  which  might  be  afterwards 
devised.  And  finally,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  these  resolutions  into 
effect,  they  were  to  be  referred  to  a  committee,  which  was  to  report  at 
the  next  Quarterly  Communication. 

Special  Communication  on  the  80th  of  August,  when  the  matters  al- 
ready referred  to  in  relation  to  the  application  for  a  new  Lodge  at 
Cheraw,  and  the  communication  of  Lodge  No.  19  at  Laureusville,  were 
acted  on. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  December.  Two  impor- 
tant communications  were  read;  one  from  a  Committee  of  Masons,  of 
which  Henry  Clay  was  the  Chairman,  dated  "City  of  Washington, 
9th  March,  1822,"  proposing  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina 
as  well  as  to  all  the  other  Grand  Lodges  in  the  Union,  the  establish- 
ment of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  to  be  situated  at 
the  city  of  Washington.     The  second  communication  was  from  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  167 

Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  which  disagreed  with  the  proposal  of  the 
Washington  Committee,  suggested  in  lieu  thereof  a  General  Grand 
Voifvenfi'oi  of  Delegates  from  the  different  Grand  Lodges  throughout 
the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  upon  the  Order,  and 
recommended  that  the  said  Convention  should  take  place  on  the 
24th  of  June,  1823,  at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  <r  such  other  place 
as  might  be  designated  by  the  other  Grand  Lodges.  Both  of  these 
communications  were  referred  to  a  committee,  which  was  to  report  at 
the  next  Quarterly  Communication. 

The  committee  to  whom  Dr.  Dalcho's  resolutions  in  relation  to  the 
appointment  of  a  Grand  Inspector  1. ad  been  referred,  made  a  report 
recommending  that  it  be  referred  to  the  Grand  Officers  to  prescribe  the 
duties  of  that  officer,  and  to  arrange  the  plan  generally;  which  report 
was  adopted. 

There  was  an  annual  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Columbia  on 
the  6th  of  December.  The  Grand  Treasurer  was  the  only  Grand  Offi- 
cer present,  and  no  business  of  any  importance  was  done. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  13th  of  December.  The  Grand  Offi- 
cers reported  the  following  resolutions  respecting  the  appointment  of  a 
Grand  Lecturer.  I  have  preserved  them  entire,  because  they  consti- 
tute the  first  digested  plan  of  a  system  of  lectures  ever  devised  in  the 
State. 

"1.  That  a  Grand  Lecturer  and  Inspector  for  South  Carolina  be 
elected  conformably  to  the  Resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that 
he  be  considered  an  Officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  be  djsignated 
by  a  jewel  of  such  form  as  is  worn  by  similar  Officers  in  other  Grand 
Lodges. 

"  2.  It  is  earnestly  recommended  in  the  selection  of  this  Officer,  that 
he  be  a  Brother  of  distinguished  reputation  in  the  fraternity;  that  he 
be  a  '  regular  Past  Master  of  education  and  talents,  well  skilled  in 
the  science  of  Free-Masonry,  and  of  respectable  standing  in  the  com- 
uiut-ity.' 

"3.  That  before  this  Officer  shall  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office, 
he  shall  lecture  in  the  presence  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  he  shall 
work,  lecture,  and  instruct  the  several  Lodges  in  such  matters,  and 
according  to  such  forms,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  approve  and  sanc- 
tion, and  none  other;  according  to  the  Ancient  Land  Marks,  and  the 
Constitution  of  the  Order,  lie  shall  be  installed,  as  the  other  Grand 
Officers  arc,  according  to  ancient  form  and  custom. 

"4.   It  shall  be  the  duty  of  tho    Grand  Lecturer  and  Inspector  to 


168  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

visit  all  the  Lodges  in  this  State,  at  leant  once  in  each  and  every  year, 
and  as  much  oftener  as  may  be  found  practicable.  lie  shall  instruct 
them  in  all  such  matters  as  may  conduce  to  the  harmony,  unity  and 
good  government  of  the  Masonic  family.  At  every  such  visit,  he  shall 
lecture  in  one,  or  more,  of  the  three  degrees  of  Ancient  Free-Masonry, 
and  give  such  explanations  of  our  Kites,  Ceremonies,  and  Customs,  as 
shall  demonstrate  the  excellence  and  usefulne  s  of  the  Masonic  Institu- 
tion. He  shall  explain  the  Constitutions  of  the  Order,  and  "the  Rules 
and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,"  so  as  to  promote  a  uniformity 
of  principle  and  operation  in  the  several  Lodges  in  this  State. 

"  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Officer  to  receive  from  the  several 
Lodges,  out  of  Charleston,  their  Annual  Returns,  Feis,  Dues,  &c,  and 
transmit  the  same  to  the  Grand  Treasurer  in  Charleston ;  unless  such 
Returns  and  Dues  shall  have  been  previously  trausuiittel  by  such 
Lodges  to  the  Grand  Treasurer. 

"  6.  The  Grand  Lecturer  and  Inspector  shall  receive,  annually,  from 
the  Graud  Lodge,  the  sum  of  §500,  which  shall  be  considered  as  a  full 
remuneration  for  his  services  and  expenses.  But  should  any  Subordi- 
nate Lodge  think  proper  to  offer  him  any  additional  compensation,  for 
any  peculiar  trouble  he  may  be  at,  on  their  account,  he  shall  be  at 
liberty  to  accept  the  same. 

"7.  In  consideration  of  the  trust  reposed  in  him,  the  Grand  Lec- 
turer and  Inspector  shall  give  security,  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Grand 
Master,  in  the  sum  of  $1000,  for  the  faithful  delivery  to  the  Grand 
Treasurer,  of  all  monies,  &c,  which  he  shall  receive  on  accouut  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

"  8.  The  Recording  Grand  Secretary  shall  immediately  give  notice 
iu  the  public  papers,  of  the  intended  election  of  a  Grand  Lecturer  and 
Inspector^  and  require  all  persons  desirous  of  becoming  candidates,  to 
make  their  applications  to  him  in  writing,  on  or  before  Wednesday,  the 
15th  of  January  next." 

A  protest  was  read  from  Richard  Maynard,  a  Past  Master  of  Solo- 
mon's Lodge  No.  1,  against  the  proceedings  of  that  Lodge  in  electing 
officers  to  serve  during  the  ensuing  year,  who  were  more  than  six 
months  in  arrears,  contrary  to  the  13th  by-law  of  the  Lodge.  It  was 
referred  to  a  committee. 

The  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  annual  election  of  Graud  Officers. 
Bro.  John  S.  Cogdell  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

A  special  Communication  was  convened  on  the  23d  of  December. 

The  committee  on  the  protest  of  Bro.  Maynard,  against  the  election 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  i(j'J 

in  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  reported,  sustaining  the  protest  and  declar- 
ing; tint  the  election  was  illegal.  The  report  was  adopted,  and  a 
dispensation  was  issued  to  Lodge  No.  1  to  enter  into  a  new  election. 

A  dispensation  was  granted  to  Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11,  to  lay  the 
corner  stone  of  a  new  Court  House  at  Newberry. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  subject  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge 
was  referred,  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted.  Although 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was,  as  it  has  been  .-ecu,  at  one 
period  in  favor  of  the  organization  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge,  its 
policy  was  now  changed,  and  from  this  time  it  has  strenuously  and  con- 
sistently opposed  the  establishment  of  such  a  body. 

"  The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  communication  of  the 
Proceedings  of  "a  number  of  members  of  the  Society  of  Free-Masons, 
from  various  parts  of  the  United  States,  composed  of  members  of  Con- 
gress, and  strangers,  assembled  at  the  Capitol,  in  the  City  of  Washing- 
ton, the  Oth  of  March,  1822;  recommending  the  establishment  of  a 
General  Grand  Lodge  of  tin    United  States,  report: 

"  That  they  bate  seriously  reflected  on  the  important  subject 
committed  to  their  investigation,  that  they  have  also  derived  much 
satisfactory  information  from  the  luminous  and  minute  details  of  the 
various  arguments  which  naturally  suggest  themselves,  from  a  careful 
examination  of  the  proposed  establishment,  contained  in  the  report  of 
many  of  the  Committees  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  other  States.  That 
your  Committee  are  sei.sibly  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  the 
establishment  of  a  Grand  Lodge  in  each  State,  under  whose  jurisdic- 
tion and  superintending  care  and  vigilance,  the  several  Subordinate 
Lodges  are  placed  aud  fostered,  is  amply  sufficient  for  all  the  valuable 
and  interesting  purposes  of  the  Masonic  Order.  That,  as  it  does  not 
appear  to  your  Committee  any  necessity  exists  for  the  establishment 
proposed,  in  order  to  promote  or  advance  the  interest  of  the  Craft  ; 
so,  also,  would  they  deprecate  even  the  possibility,  if  not  the  proba- 
bility, of  its  producing,  in  any  degree,  however  remote,  any  injury  to 
Masonry  in  general,  by  its  diversion  of  the  parental  vigilance  of  the 
State  Grand  Lodges,  towards  the  focus  of  the  General  Grand  Lodge-  ; 
by  the  impeding  multiplication  of  its  duties  and  concerns ;  by  its 
alienation  by  distance,  from  the  local  concerns  and  character  of  the 
several  Subordinate  Lodges,  as  well  as  the  Grand  Lodges  themselves 
of  the  respective  States;  by  its  breaking  in  upon  the  funds  of  the 
several  State  Grand  Lodges,  which  could  be  applied  so  much  more 
cheerfully  to  the  endearing  claims  of  Charity  ;  or  in  any  other  view. 


170  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

creating  difficulty  or  disadvantage  to  the  present  felicitous  situation 
of  the  Masonic  Order.  Your  (Jommittce,  therefore,  take  leave  to  re- 
commend the  following  Resolutions,  viz  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  establishment  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  calling  a  Masonic  Convention  for  the  pur- 
poae  of  instituting  and  organizing  the  same  as  proposed,  is,  in  the 
opinion  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  unnecessary  and  unadvisable. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Vorrexportdiny  Grand  Secretary  be  requested 
to  transmit  copies  of  the  foregoing  Report  and  Resolution  to  the  re- 
spective Grand  Lodges  throughout  the  United  States,  and  a  copy  of 
the  same  to  William  W.  Seaton,  l^q.,  at  the  City  of  Washington, 
agreeably  to  the  request  contained  in  the  communication  referred  to 
your  Committee." 

On  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day  the  weather  wis  very  inclement, 
and,  in  consequence,  there  was  no  procession.  The  Grand  Lodge  met 
in  the  morning,  when  the  Grand  Master  installed  the  rest  of  the  Grand 
Officers.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  called  off  until  six  o'clock  in 
the  evening,  when  the  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Past  Grand 
Master  Bacot ;  Dr.  Dalcho,  the  Grand  Chaplain,  delivered  an  address, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed. 

The  new  Lodges,  named  on  the  registry  of  this  year,  are  St.  Albans 
No.  38,  at  Darlington  C  H.,  Laureusville  Lodge  No.  41,  at  Laurens 
C.  II.,  and  Newberry  Lodge  No.  44,  at  Newberry  C.  II  Refore  this 
last  Lodge  Bro.  Job  Johnston,  subsequently  a  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
and  one  of  the  Chancellors  of  the  State,  delivered  an  address,  on  the 
Festival  of  St.  John  the  Baptist. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  171 


CHAPTER    XVI 

THE    YEAR     1823. 

The  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  fur  this  year  were  as  follows  : 

John  S.  Cogdell,  Grand  Muster; 

Isaac  M.  Wilson,  Deputy  Grand  Master} 

HENRY  II    BaCOT,  Senior  Grand  Warden} 

William  Waller,  Junior  Grand  Warden} 

Rev.  Frederick  Dalcho,  M.D.,  Grand  Chaplain-} 

Charles  S.  Tucker,   Grand  Treasurer} 

EDWARD  HUGHES,  Recording  Grand  Secretary} 

Isaac  A.  Johnson,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary} 

Peter  Javain.  )   ..    .      . ,       ,  ,. 

y  oenwr  Urana  JJcaeuns; 
Samuel  Beyle,  ) 

James  C.  Norris,  )    r     .      ~        ,  .. 

V  Junior  Grand  L/eacons; 
John  Innks,  j 

ElCIIARD  PEARCE,   Grand  Marshal } 

Benjamin  Phillips,  Grand  Pursuivant } 

Robert  Shand,  Grand  Tiler. 

By  some  oversight  there  was  no  appointment  of  Grand  Stewards  for 

this  year. 

The  Grand  Lodge  held  a  special  Communication  for  the  election  of 
a  Grand  Lecturer.  Only  two  letters  of  application  had  been  received, 
one  from  David  Vinton,  and  the  other  from  John  Barker. 

Before  tliC  ballot  was  taken,  a  brother  aros:  and  read,  not  only  the 
notice  of  the  expulsion  of  Vinton  by  the  Gran  1  Lodge  of  North  Caro- 
lina, to  which  reference  has  :  lready  been  made,  but  a  letter  from  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  with  a  copy  of  a 
letter  which  had  been  directed  to  him,  representing  Vinton's  conduct 
in  an  unfavorable  light,  as  being  highly  unniasonic.  His  name  was, 
therefore,  by  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  withdrawn  from  the  canvass, 
and  Parker  «'as,  of  course,  elected. 

John  Barker  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  0  in  that  State.     He   had  come  to  South   Carolina  some  time  pre- 


l~-2  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

vious  on  business,  it  is  supposed,  connected  with  the  dissemination  of 
the  high  degrees. 

He  had  received  his  instructions  at  the  North,  and  was  well  prepared 
as  a  teacher  in  the  mere  ritual  of  Masonry,  and  further  than  that  very 
few  Masonic  lecturers  think  it  necessary,  even  at  this  time,  to  go. 
There  can,  indeed,  be  no  doubt  that  on  visiting  Charleston  he  had 
offered  himself  as  an  instructor  of  the  Lodges  in  the  State,  and  that 
all  the  preliminary  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  appoiutmei.it  of  a  Grand  Lecturer,  were  with  a  view  to  the 
bestowal  of  the  office  on  him.  He  had,  in  fact,  appeared  before  the 
Grand  Officers  in  December,  1821,  and  had  given  the  lectures  of  the 
three  degrees,  as  it  is  recorded,  "  in  a  very  luminous  and  satisfactory 
manner."  His  election  was,  therefore,  a  foregone  conclusion,  and  at 
the  present  day  we  cannot  regret  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the 
premises.  The  Lodges  must,  necessarily,  have  been  greatly  in  need  of 
instruction,  and  Barker  was  well  qualified,  as  far  as  the  ritual  went,  to 
give  it.  The  Webb  or  Cross  work,  for  there  was  no  difference  between 
them,  at  that  time  pervaded  the  Uniou,  and  Barker  was  in  full  posses- 
sion of  it.  The  work  taught  by  him  still  remains,  with  but  slight  and 
unessential  modifications,  as  the  Masonic  work  of  South  Carolina,  and 
when  correctly  given  I  know  of  none  which  surpasses  it  in  beauty,  con- 
sistency, or  adhesion  to  the  Ancient  Landmarks.  There  is  no  doubt, 
that  if  Barker  were  now  alive,  he  would  be  behind  none  of  our  modern 
teachers  in  vaunting,  and  with  equal  justice,  that  he  was  in  possession 
of  "  the  true  Webb  work." 

Beyond  his  knowledge  of  the  ritual,  I  do  not  find  any  evidence  that 
he  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  talent  or  education.  He  was,  like 
too  many  others  who  assume  high  positions  as  Masonic  teachers,  a  mere 
ritualist,  and  nothing  more.  Happy  will  it  bo  for  Masonry,  when  some- 
thing else  is  demanded  of  those  who  undertake  to  teach  its  principles 
or  to  develop  its  symbols. 

Barker  acted  officially  as  Grand  Lecturer  for  only  two  years,  but  re- 
mained for  a  long  time  in  the  State.*  He  amassed  much  money,  not 
only  by  his  fees  for  instructions,  but  by  the  communication  of  all  sorts 

*  He  was  also  appointed  by  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty-third  degree, 
as  its  agent,  and  traveled  through  the  Western  States,  conferring  by  this  authority 
the  degrees  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  and  establishing  Councils  of  Royal 
and  Select  Masters.  I  have  seen  many  diplomas  of  the  former  and  warrants  of 
the  latter  signed  by  him  in  his  capacity  as  a  Sovereign  Inspector,  and  Agent  of  the 
Supreme  Council. 


l\  sol  Til  CAROLINA'.  17;; 

of  degrees,  for  there  was  a  great  thirst  for  Masonic  knowledge  at  that 
period,  and  having  acquired  a  respectable  competence,  he  retired  to  his 
native  State,  bought  a  farm,  and  died  there  a  few  years  ago. 

Barker  was  that  evening  installed  as  Grand  Lecturer,  and  having,  at 
subsequent  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  called  for  that  purpose,  on 
the  26th  and  81st  of  January,  and  the  2d  of  February,  lectured  on  the 
three  degrees,  he  departed  for  the  country  to  commence  his  course  of 
instructions,  being  authorized  by  a  special  resolution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  to  settle  the  arrears  of  the  Lodges  in  such  manner  as  he  might 
deem  most  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  March.  The  Grand  Lodge 
refused  the  petition  of  Lodge  No.  39,  at  Columbia,  for  a  remission  of 
its  dues  for  four  or  five  years,  as  some  assistance  to  it  in  the  construc- 
tion of  a  Lodge  room. 

The  report  on  the  Grand  Treasurer's  books  showed  that  the  amount  in 
the  treasury,  including  the  arrears  of  members,  was  $4,223.  Since 
the  union,  there  had  been  a  gradual  increase  in  the  financial  prosperity 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurensville,  rent  a  communication,  in  which  it 
stated  its  regret  "  that  the  Grand  Lodge  had  so  far  mistaken  its  former 
application  as  to  suppose  that  it  was  conditional."  At  the  same  timo 
it  transmitted  the  names  of  its  intended  officers  With  this  amende, 
the  Grand  Lodge  being  satisfied,  a  warrant  was  issued,  and  it  took  its 
place  in  the  registry  of  that  year  as  "Laurensville  Lodge  No.  41." 
The  Lodge  became  again  extinct,  but  I  had  the  pleasure  of  assisting  in 
its  revival  in  1848,  when  it  resumed  its  old  number  as  "Palmetto 
Lodge  No.  19, "  under  which  designation  it  still  exists  as  one  of  the 
most  flourishing  Lodges  in  the  jurisdiction. 

Beokhamsville  Lodge  No.  16,  having  requested  the  Grand  Lodge  to 
restore  a  member  whom  the  Lodge  had  expelled  in  1814,  the  Grand 
Secretary  was  directed  to  inform  the  Lodge,  that  every  Subordinate 
Lodg'i  possesses  the  power  to  reinstate  any  of  its  members  who  have 
been  expelled  by  its  own  order. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  June.  The  Graud  Lodge 
refused  to  interfere  with  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North, 
Carolina,  by  inquiring  into  the  justice  of  its  expulsion  of  David  Vinton. 

Lodge  No.  11,  at  Newberry  Court  House,  was  permitted  to  change 
its  number  to  44. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  20th  of  September.  A  warrant 
was  granted  to  Manchester  Lodge  No.  02,  in  the  village  of  Manchester 


1^4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

This,  which  was  then  a  thriving  seftlcment,  has  long  since  become  a 
"deserted  village,"  and  a  single  private  residence  points  out  the  site  oi" 
the  old  hamlet.     The  Lodge,  with  the  village,  lias  become  extinct. 

We  now  arrive  at  an  eventful  period  in  the  history  of  Masonry  in 
this  State,  which  nothing  but  the  fidelity  of  an  historian  induces  me  to 
record.  That  noble  spirit  of  emulation,  as  to  who  could  best  work  and 
%  best  agree,  seem^  now  for  a  time  to  have  given  place,  in  the  bosoms  of 
some  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  Order  in  the  city,  to  a 
sentiment  of  rivalry,  which  bade  fair  to  introduce  discord  into  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  to  mar  the  beautiful  moral  symmetry  of  the  insti- 
tution. All  of  the  actors  in  the  unpleasant  occurrences  of  this  period, 
excepting  one,  have  gone  to  "that  undiscovered  country,  from  whose 
bourne  no  traveller  returns;"  and  yet  the  time  is  so  rec-iit,  that  I  feel 
justified  in  treating  the  subject  with  as  much  delicacy  and  brevity  as  a 
due  regard  to  perspicuity  will  permit. 

The  Supreme  Council  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  had  been  legally  established  in  Charleston 
on  the  1st  of  May  1801,  and  <\j1.  John  Mitchell  had  been  appointed 
the  presiding  officer,  with  the  title  of  Sovereign  Grand  Commander. 
After  the  death  of  Col.  Mitchell  in  1820,  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho  was 
elevated  to  that  high  posit  ion.  This  Supreme  Council  claimed  (and 
there  is  no  doubt  that  it  legally  claimed)  jurisdiction  over  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Kite  in  the  United  States. 

In  1813  it  came  to  the  notice  of  the  Supreme  Council  that  a  Ma- 
sonic adventurer  named  Joseph  Cerneau.  a  jeweller  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  had  set  up  a  claim  to  the  establishment  of  a  rival  Council  in 
that  city.  Notwithstanding  that  Cerneau  was  almost  immediately  ex- 
pelled by  the  lawful  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston,  and  declared  to 
have  "arrogated  to  himself  powers  and  privileges  which  never  had  been 
lawfully  committed  to  him."  he  proceeded  to  establish  subordinate 
bodies  in  various  parts  of  the  Union,  and  among  others  a  Consistory  of 
Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  or  the  thirty-second  degree,  in  the 
city  of  Charleston,  his  principal  agent  being  one  Peter  Javairi.  Of 
this  body,  Bros.  Thomas  W.  Bacot  and  John  S.  Cogdell  were  lead- 
ing members.  The  Supreme  Council  in  Charleston  does  not  appear 
for  a  lo.ig  time  to  have  meddled  with  this  illegal  body,  further 
than  quietly  to  declare  its  spurious  and  illegal  character  when  the 
opinion  of  any  of  its  members  was  requested  by  Masons  seeking  for  in- 
formation. The  prominent  members  of  b>th  bodies,  the  legal  Supreme 
Council,  and  the  irregular  Consistory,  contiuued  harmoniously  to  work 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  175 

together  in  symbolic  Masonry  ami  in   the  labors  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Tii^  division  was  only  felt  when  they  came  to  the  higher  degrees. 

But  in  1820  Col.  John  Mitchell  died,  leaving  a  widow  in  very  desti- 
tute circumstances.  Pressed  by  the  urgent  claims  of  poverty,  she 
parted  with  the  manuscript  rituals  of  the  higher  degrees,  which  she 
found  among  the  papers  of  her  deceased  husband,  who  was,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  the  Grand  Commander  of  the  Supreme  Council,  to  thirteen 
Masons,  no  one  of  whom  had  proceeded  beyond  the  Royal  Arch  of  the 
York  Kite.  These  brethren,  thoughtless,  we  must  charitably  believe, 
at  6rst,  of  the  violation  of  Masonic  honor  which  they  were  committing, 
united  themselves  in  an  association  for  th"  purpose  of  availing  them- 
selves of  the  instructions  in  Masonry  which  these  manuscripts  might 
afford.  The  spurious  Consistory,  hearing  of  these  proceedings  attempted 
to  influence  the  '' a.  soeiators,"  as  they  were  called,  to  what  they  sup- 
posed would  be  a  better  course,  and,  in  1821,  sought  to  induce  them  to 
surrender  the  papers  and  to  make  application  to  the  Con  istory  for  regu- 
lar initiation.  To  this  they  consented,  but  as  several  obstacles  arose 
from  constitutional  difficulties,  and  as  they  were  assured  in  the  meantime 
that  the  Consistory  was  not  regular,  they  determined  to  withdraw  their 
application.  The  fact  that  Dr.  Dalcho  had,  when  the  question  was 
proposed  to  him,  candidly  acknowledged  the  illegality  of  the  Consistory, 
although  he  at  the  same  time  declared  that  he  intended  to  take  no  part. 
ill  the  pending  difficulty,  caused  him,  involuntarily,  to  become  mixed 
up  with  these  troubles,  for  it  was  supposed  by  the  Consistory  that  the 
influence  and  advice  of  Dr.  Dalcho  alone,  kept  the  associators  from 
surrendering  the  manuscripts  and  applying  for  admission  into  their 
body. 

In  consequence  of  this  a  long,  and  in  many  respects  an  unpleasant 
correspondence,  took  place  bctwec  i  Messrs  T.  W.  Bacot  and  Jno.  S. 
Cogdell  on  the  one  part,  and  Dr.  Dalcho  on  the  other.  Mortified  at 
the  estrangement  of  feeling  which  seemed  on  the  point  of  being  en- 
gendered by  this  Masonic  dispute,  between  himself  and  two  old  friends, 
who  were  bound  to  him  also  by  the  close  tie  of  membership  in  the 
Church  of  which  he  was  the  assistant  Minister,  Dr.  Dalcho  withdrew 
from  the  Supreme  Council,  having  peremptorily  refused  to  heal  the 
associators.  As  so  m  as  he  had  retired,  Dr.  Isaac  Au'd,  the  next  ofl 
of  the  Supreme  Council,  and  who  then  constitutionally  succeeded  to 
the  prerogatives  of  the  Grand  Commander,  having  no  such  delicate  re- 
lations with  Bros.  Bacot  and  Cog  [ell,  proceeded  to  legalize  the  associ- 
ators, and,  on   the  9th  of  February,  1822,  conferred   on   six  of  them 


17*;  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

the  degree  of  Sublime  Prince  of  the  "Royal  Secret.  This  act  does  not, 
however,  appear  to  have  revived  the  ill  feeling  iu  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Bu*  in  May,  1822,  P.  Javain,  a  leading  member  of  the  Cerneau  Con- 
sistory, having  denounced  the  new  Consistory  which  had  been  formed 
by  the  Supreme  Council,  through  the  public  Gazettes,  a  brief  news- 
paper war  took  place  between  the  two  parties,  which  ended  in  the 
publication  by  Joseph  McCosh,  one  of  the  "  associators,"  in  June, 
1828,  of  a  pamphlet  of  140  pages,  with  the  following  title  :  "  Docu- 
ments upon  Sublime  Freemasonry  in  the  United  States  of  America; 
being  a  collection  of  all  the  official  documents  which  have  appeared  on 
both  sides  of  the  question,  with  Notes  and  an  Appendix.  By  Joseph 
3icCosh." 

I  have  more  than  ouce  attentively  perused  this  work,  and  impartiality 
compels  me  to  confess,  that  while  the  tpxt  contains  a  true  history  of 
the  original  differences  between  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston,  and 
the  irregular  Consistory  of  Cerneau,  entirely  unobjectionable  in  its 
character,  and  principally  consisting  of  the  republication  of  old  docu- 
ments, yet  the  notes  and  appendix,  which  were  the  production  of 
McCosh,  are  often  couched  in  offensive  language,  well  calculated  to 
irritate  the  feelings  of  those  whom  he  attacked.  I  have  in  my  pos- 
session the  copy  which  appears  originally  to  have  belonged  to  Brother 
Bacot.  It  is  filled  with  marginal  notes  and  comments  in  pen  and 
pencil,  which  clearly  show  that  an  angry,  and,  of  course,  au  unmasonic 
feeling  existed  between  both  parties. 

Irritated  at  the  language  used  in  this  pamphlet,  and  the  accusations 
of  perfidy  aud  error  with  which  they  were  charged,  Brothers  Bacot 
and  Cogdell  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  protection.  Here,  how- 
ever, the  fraternal  services  of  Dr.  Dalcho  were  again  called  into  requi- 
sition, and  at  a  special  Communication  of  the' Grand  Lodge,  which  was 
holdeu  on  the  31st  of  October,  1823,  a  solemn  declaration,  was  read, 
which  had  beeu  obtained  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  a::d  which  was  signed 
by  Joseph  McCosh,  C.  C.  Sebring,  and  Moses  Holbrook,  the  persons 
paricularly  named  in  the  appeal  of  Brothers  Cogdell  and  Bacot.  In 
this  document,  they  positively  declared,  "that  nothing  contaiued  in 
any  writing,  pamphlet  or  other  publication,  supposed  to  have  been  made 
by  him  or  them,  or  with  their  knowledge,  was,  as  they  firmly  believe, 
intended  to  injure  the  personal  feelings,  the  honor  or  private  character 
of  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master,  or  the  M.  W.  Past  Grand  Master,  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina;  and  the  said 
publications  are  hereby  considered  as  suppressed.     And,  in  considera- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  177 

tion  of  the  amicable  arrangement  agreed-upon,  Brothers  liolbrook  and 
Sebring  will  return  the  copy  of  the  said  appeal  with  which  they  were 
famished  by  the  Grand  Secretary." 

On  the  other  part,  Brothers  Cogdell  and  Bacot  presented  the  follow- 
ing declaration : 

"The  Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Master  declare,  that  as  they 
are,  and  ever  have  been,  sincerely  desirous  of  promoting  the  harmony, 
happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  ('raft;  so  they  likewise  declare,  that  if 
any  thing  like  personal  feeling  has  appeared  on  their  parts  towards  any 
Brother,  or  any  reflectinti  thought  to  have  been  cast  on  their  honour  or 
character,  it  was  never  so  intended  by  them;  and,  in  consideration  of 
the  amicable  arrangement  agreed  upon,  the  Grand  Master  and  Past 
Grand  Master  w:ll  respectfully  recommend  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  to 
permit  every  thing  which  h.  s  been  laid  before  them,  of  every  kind  and 
nature  whatsoever  connected  with  this  subject,  to  be  withdrawn ;  and 
every  record  of  the  same  on  the  Grand  Secretary's  books  to  be  ex- 
punged; the  Committee  appointed  upon  this  subject  to  be  discharged, 
and  these  declarations  and  recommendations  to  be  placed  on  the  Jour- 
nals of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  their  stead." 

These  documents  were  accompanied  by  the  following  letter  from  Dr. 
Dalcho,  which  is  worthy  of  being  republished,  not  only  because  it 
exhibits  him  in  the  pleasing  discharge  of  a  "ministry  of  reconcili- 
ation," but  also  because  it  was  his  last  known  communication  on  the 
subject  of  Freemasonry,  to  which  he  had  devoted  so  many  )ears  of  his 
life. 

"  Charleston,  Oct.  31,  1823. 
M Respectable  and  Dear  Br<tliren  : 

"As  indisposition  in  my  family  will  prevent  mo  from  attending  in 
my  place  in  the  Grand  Lodge  this  evening,  I  respectfully  enclose  to 
you  the  subject-matter  of  your  deliberations. 

"Every  friend  of  the  Masonic  institution,  as  well  as  every  member 
of  our  Order,  muse  have  felt,  i  ot  only  deeply  interested,  but  greatly 
grieved,  at  the  unhappy  difference  which,  for  a  few  weeks,  has  existed 
in  the  Grand  Lodge.  As  an  old  Mason,  and  particularly  as  a  reli  i  us 
man,  I  confess  that  it  produced  in  my  mind  the  most  painful  sensations. 
Believing,  as  I  conscientiously  do,  that  genuine  Free  Masonry  is  a 
powerful  auxiliary  to  the  religion  L  profess,  I  cannot  but  be  solicitous 
to  see  it  practiced  in  its  native  purity  and  truth.  That  charity  which 
covereth  a  multitude  of  sins*  and  (hat  Brotherlydove,  which  makes 
man  tae  Ir.end  of  his  specios,  arc  fundamental  principles  of  both. 
12 


J-78  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

And  where  these  principles  are  permitted  to  govera  our  feelings  and  our 
conduct,  whether  in  the  domestic  and  social  circle,  in  the  Lodges  of 
the  Fraternity,  or  the  community  iu  which  we  live,  there  peace  and 
happiness,  the  types  of  celestial  enjoyment,  must  necessarily  reigu. 

"Every  religious  man  feels  that  he  holds  an  important  station  iu  the 
sphere  in  which  Divine  Providence  has  been  pleased  to  cast  his  lot. 
He  feels  himself  connected  with  the  world  of  spirits,  as  well  as  with 
this;  and  he  judges  of  everything  which  passes  here,  by  its  probable 
eifect  upon  our  future  state  of  existence.  He  knows  that  Free  Masons 
are  under  stronger  sanctions  than  other  men;  and,  therefore,  that  more 
is  required  of  Free  Masons  than  of  others.  His  heart  tells  him  that 
man  lives  not  for  himself  alone;  that  he  is  surrounded  by  humau 
beings,  whom,  perhaps,  his  opinions  and  example  may,  in  some  wise, 
injure  or  improve.  He  feels  an  accountability  resting  upon  him,  which 
controls  his  passions  and  regulates  his  conduct.  He  considers  himself 
as  a  light  to  the  world,  to  guide  the  wayfaring  man  through  the  jour- 
ney of  life;  and  to  lead  him  to  the  temple,  'not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.'  And  does  not  the  Free  Mason,  my  Brethren, 
stand  on  an  eminence  equally  as  elevated?  Is  he  not,  too;  or,  I  should 
lather  say,  ought  he  not  to  be,  'a  burning  and  a  shining  light'  to  all 
who  walk  iu  darkness,  to  those  who  have  no  rallyiug  point  for  the 
moral  principle,  and  no  sanctions  to  constrain  their  conduct?  Doubt- 
less, my  Brethren,  they  are.  Then,  ought  they  not  to  show,  in  their 
lives  and  actions,  the  happy  influence  of  Masonic  principles  over 
worldly  feelings  and  personal  considerations,  and  be  an  example  for  the 
imitation  of  others?  Unquestionably,  my  Brethren,  they  ought.  And, 
to  the  honor  of  the  Craft  be  it  recorded,  that  they  are  many,  and,  I 
trust,  very  many,  who  are  strictly  governed  by  the  principles  they 
profess,  and  who  are  bright  examples  to  the  ignorant  and  profane. 
What  will  come  before  you,  this  evening,  will  confirm  this  interesting 
and  important  truth. 

"Intrusted  with  the  'ministry  of  reconciliation,'  by  Divine  au- 
thority, I  interposed  between  our  Brethren,  who,  unhappily,  were  at 
variance,  and,  as  a  mutual  friend,  endeavoured  to  heal  the  wounds 
which  misrepresentation  and  misunderstanding  had  made.  And  it 
gives  me  real  pleasure  to  state  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  from  the 
candid  and  very  honourable  and  brotherly  manner  in  which  my  medi- 
ation was  received  and  accepted  by  both  parties,  I  feel  the  delightful 
assurance  that  the  genuine  principles  of  .our  ancient  and  honourable 
Order  had  neither  lost  their  influence  over  the  human  heart,  nor  fled 


L\  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  17;t 

to  other  climes.  I  found  in  all  with  whom  T  had  occasion  to  converse 
on  the  subject,  a  sincere  disposition  to  restore  hannouy  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  to  pour  tin:  balm  of  Masonic  affection  into  the  troubled 
bosom.  I  cauuot  express  to  you,  my  dear  Brethren,  the  delight  it' 
afforded  me  to  be,  under  God,  the  happy  instrument  of  producing  this 
reconciliation.  I  know,  however,  that  you  will  see,  with  me,  the  im- 
portant effects  it  must  necessarily  produce  ou  the  respectability  of  our 
Order,  and,  with  me,  will  rejoice  in  the  success  of  my  mediation. 

"I  now,  my  Brethren,  submit  to  you  the  evidence  of  this  happy  re- 
conciliation, and  respectfully  suggest,  that,  alter  it  shall  have  been  read, 
the  following  resolution  may  be  proposed  for  the  unanimous  consent  of 
the  Grand  Lodge : 

"Resolved,  That  the  agreement  entered  into  between  the  M.  W. 
Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Master  on  one  part,  and  Brothers 
McCosh,  Sebring  and  Elolbrook  on  the  other  part,  be  considered  as 
highly  satisfactory  to  this  Grand  Lodge;  and  that  the  'declarations 
and  recommendations'  of  the  said  Grand  Officers,  as  set  forth  in  the 
2d  article,  be  now  adopted  in  conformity  with  their  wishes. 

"Most  sincerely  offering  up  my  prayer  for  your  individual  prosperity 
and  happiness,  and  the  harmony  aud  increased  respectability  aud  use- 
ful nos  <  f  your  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge, 

"I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  sincere  and  affec- 
tionate Brother, 

FREDERICK  DALCHO, 

Grand  Chaplain." 

Whereupon  the  resolution  proposed  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  in  the 
following  words,  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  agreement  entered  into  between  the  M.  \V. 
Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Master,  on  the  one  part,  and  Brothers 
McCush,  Seining  and  Ilolbrook,  on  the  other  part,  be  considered  as 
highly  satisfactory  to  the  Grand  Lodge  j  and  that  the  '  declarations  and 
.1  Herniations '  of  the  said  Grand  Officers  be  now  adopted,  in  con- 
formity with  their  wishes." 

The  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Cogdell,  then  addressed  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  the  following  language: 

"  Brethren,  the  proceedings  of  this  evening  have  shown,  manifestly, 
leeming  spirit  of  our  Order. 

"They   prove  the  influence  of  religion   over  Masonry;    they  prove 

that  tin'  principles  of  the  Craft,  when  they  are  allowed  to  bear  upon 

occurrences,  which,  for  a  moment,  disturb  the  tranquillity  ot  our 


180  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

breasts,  like  pebbles  cast  upon  tbe  bosom  of  serene  and  quiet  waters, 
can  calm  again  into  peace  and  harmony  all  within,  and  dissipate  the 
clouds,  which,  for  a  time,  intercepted  the  warm  beams  from  the  source 
of  charity  and  love. 

"  They  have  this  evening  rioted  out  accumulated  pride  and  mortifica- 
tion, and  restored  humility  ;  suppressed  all  angry  passions,  the  offspring 
of  misrepresentation,  and  too  quick  misconception.  They  have  ex- 
tracted from  the  torn  bosom  the  poisoned  shaft,  and  healed  the  wound 
with  the  cement  of  brotherly  love. 

"  The  conduct  of  the  Grand  Lodge  lias  this  evening  demonstrated 
that  at  last  our  sole  dependence  must  be  on  the  fir.-t  great  light  of 
Masonry.  By  its  sublime  rules  we  can  be  safely  conducted  through  all 
trials  and  difficulties.  By  it  we  are  taught  to  '  seek  and  we  shall 
find  :'  to  '  knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  us  '  In  applying  this 
divine  passage  to  our  Order,  I  would  thus  illustrate  it  :  Seek  explana- 
tions of  a  brother,  and  conceive  no  evil.  Knock  at  the  door  of  his 
heart  for  admittance.  If  it  be  closed,  apply  the  key  of  true  brotherly 
principles,  and  enter  securely. 

"  Suffer  me,  then,  my  dear  friends,  at  this  last  interchange  with 
you,  in  this  way,  to  warn  you  against  the  consequences  which  follow, 
either  from  a  neglect,  or  a  disregard,  of  the  lessons  for  our  instruction, 
as  contained  in  the  Book  intended  to  aid  our  salvation. 

"  Wc  have,  as  Brethren,  promised  to  befriend  each  other;  to  apprise 
a  Brother  of  the  approach  of  all  danger;  to  keep  each  other's  secrets, 
and  to  do  each  other  no  wrong.  With  these  promises  ever  in  our 
minds,  how  can  we,  by  any  possibility,  incur  the  censure  of  a  Brother? 

"  My  Brethren,  your  happiness  as  men,  and  as  Masons,  will  be  im- 
proved, if  you  but  resolve,  in  future,  to  walk  with  each  other  upon  the 
•square,  to  keep  your  feel i :  g>  within  due  bounds,  and  to  allow  no  recess 
of  your  hearts  to  be  occupied  by  pride  or  resentments.  Close  your 
cars  against  the  reviler  and  the  uiischief-nn  ker.  It  is  contrary  to  the 
principles  of  our  Order,  either  to  listen  to,  or  to  propagate,  evil  re- 
ports against  the  name,  the  fame,  or  the  feelings  of  a  Brother.  And 
Masons  should  give  examples  of  correctness  to  the  rest  of  mankind, 
who  have  not  so  frequent  opportunities  of  improvement  and  instruction. 

"  In  all  your  interchanges  be  to  each  other  amiable,  kind,  forbearing, 
charitable.  And  when,  in  our  judgments,  we  presume  to  thii  k  we 
have  cause  of  anger,  let  the  rising  passion  be  checked  by  the  recollec- 
tion of  that  Divine  r.ply  to  Peter's  questi  m  :  '  Lord,  how  oft  shall 
my  Brother  sin  against  me,  and  I  forgive  him  ?  till  seven  times  ?  1  say 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  181 

not  unto  thee,  until  seven  times  ;  but  until  seventy  times  seven.'  This 
reply,  my  Brethren,  wis  m  ide  by  One  who  knew  what  wa*  iu  man. 
Way  the  Great  Architect  enable  us  to  profit  by  there  remarks. 

"  But  the  recommendations  of  Ht.  Peter  to  us  as  brethren  are  more 
important,  and  I  will  use  them. 

"  Here  the  Grand  Master  read  some  passages  from  the  first  Epistle 
of  St    Peter,  and  concluded  with  some  appropriate  prayers." 

The  record  thus  seems  to  show  an  entire  restoration  of  harmony, 
but  I  fear  chat  the  record  is  defective.  The  exalted  brethren  who 
were  engaged  in  this  unpleasant  controversy,  however  thoroughly  they 
may  have  forgiven,  do  not  seem  ever  to  have  forgotten  the  wounds 
inflicted  on  their  feelings.  Tmilitm  vloit  sub  puctore  vuluus.  The 
hidden  wound  still  lived  within  their  breast.  Immediately  after  these 
transactions,  both  Brothers  Cogdell  and  Dalchj  gave  notice  that  they 
Were  no  longer  candidates  for  reelection  to  their  respective  offices,  and 
at  the  expiration  of  the  year  they  withdrew  from  membership  in  the 
Graud  Lodge.  Neither  of  them  again  t,:ok  any  interest  in  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Order.  It  was  to  each  the  end  of  his  Masonic  career.  Bro. 
Bacot  pursued  a  wiser  and  a  more  truly  Masonic  course,  and  his  name 
continued  until  his  death  to  be  found  among  the  visitors  at  several  of 
the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

An  Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  holden  at  Co- 
lumbia, orf  the  5th  and  9th  of  December.  As  usual,  not  a  single 
Grand  or  Subordinate  Officer  was  present.  The  chair  was  taken  at 
both  sessions  by  Ch  tries  J.  Colcock,  Past  Grand  Master. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  returned  to  Brother  John  S. 
Cogdtll,  "for  the  faithful  manner  in  which  he  had  discharged  the  duties 
of  his  station  "  as  Grand  Master. 

A  warrant  of  Constitution  was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge,  at  Lancaster 
C.  EI.,  to  be  called  "  Lancasterville  Lodge  No.  53." 

The  Lodge  No.  11,  at  Winnsboro',  which  had  been  heretofore 
known  as  "Little  lliver  Lodge,"  was  permitted  to  change  that  name 
to  "Winnsboro*  Lodge." 

A  resolution  was  adopted  and  submitted  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  at 
Charleston,  for  approval,  remitting  all  the  dues  of  Lodge  No.  39,  on 
condition  that  it  would  allow  the  Grand  Lodge  the  use  of  its  hall,  lately 
erected,  free  of  expense. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  19th  of  December.  The  following 
resolutions,  offered  by  Brother  C.  C.  Scbring,  in  reference  to  tho  resig- 
nation of  Dr.  Dalcho  as  Grand  Chaplain,  were  adopted  : 


182  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"■The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina, 
having  received  with  regret  the  resignation  of  their  Chaplain,  feel 
themselves  called  upon  to  express  their  sentiments  on  this  occasion. 
Dr.  Dalcho  has  heen  a  distinguished  member  of  this  body  for  upwards 
of  four  and  twenty  years.  His  profound  knowledge  of  the  Masonic 
Constitutions  is  universally  known;  and  his  learned  exposition  of  the 
principles,  rites  and  ceremonies  of  our  Order,  in  two  editions  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon,  published  under  the  sanction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  has 
received  the  highest  approbation  in  this  and  several  other  States. 
During  his  long  services  he  has  uniformly  manifested  his  love  for  the 
Craft,  and  his  reverence  for  the  genuine  principles  of  our  ancient  and 
honorable  institution.  With  these  remembrances  of  his  great  worth, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  affectionate  feelings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  is 

11  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  deeply  regret  the  late  resignation 
of  the  Most  Reverend  Brother  Dalcho;  and  that  as  a  testimonial  of  its 
respect  for  his  character,  and  its  grateful  acknowledgment  of  his  ser- 
vices, a  Committee  be  appointed  to  cause  an  engraved  likeness  of  him 
to  be  made,  of  such  size  that  it  may  conveniently  be  placed  in  the 
second  edition  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon;  and  that  every  Lodge  and  every 
Brother  having  a  copy  of  that  work,  be  entitled  to  a  copy  of  the  en- 
graving to  place  therein. 

"Resolved,  That  a  sum  not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars,  be  appro- 
priated for  defraying  the  expense  incurred  by  the  foregoing  Resolution; 
and  the  Grand  Master  is  hereby  authorized  to  give  an  order  on  the 
Grand  Treasurer,  accordingly." 

This  resolution  was  faithfully  carried  into  effect,  and  an  admirable 
portrait  of  Dr.  Dalcho  was  executed  by  the  distinguished  artist,  Charles 
Eraser,  and  engraved  by  A.  B.  Durand,  which  was  affixed  to  many  of 
the  copies  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon. 

The  Grand  Master  gave  notice  that  copies  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon  had 
been  transmitted  to  England,  France,  the  Havana,  and  each  of  the 
Atlantic  States  in  America. 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  that  hereafter,  at  the  Quarterly  Com- 
munication in  June,  an  orator  for  St.  John's  day  should  be  elected  by 
ballot,  and  that  the  performance  of  that  duty  should  no  longer  be  con- 
sidered as  obligatory  on  the  Grand  Chaplain. 

The  precedence  of  the  Grand  Lecturer  was  determined,  and  it  was 
resolved  that  he  should  take  rank  next  after  the  Grand  Chaplain,  and 
that  his  title  be  that  of  "  Worshipful." 

The  Grand  Lodge  resolved  to  have  a  supper  on  the  night  of  St. 
John's  dav 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLIXA.  J  S3 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  returned  to  the  Grand  Master, 
■with  the  expression  of  regret  that  he  declined  a  further  reelection. 
Brothers  Cogdell  and  Dalcho  were  then  elected  honorary  members  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  Although  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  do  not  provide  for  such  a  position,  the  custom  has  since,  however 
irregular,  been  frequently  repeated,  as  a  mark  of  esteem  for  distin- 
guished brethren. 

The  finances  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were,  at  this  time,  in  a  very  favor- 
able condition.  The  report  of  the  Grand  Master  showed,  that  in  stock 
and  money,  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  amounted  to  S4,SS4. 

This  being  the  regular  night  of  election,  the  Grand  Lodge  proceeded 
to  ballot  for  Grand  Officers.  His  Excellency  John  L.  Wilson,  ex- 
Governor  of  the  State,  was  elected  Grand  3Iaster. 

At  a  special  Communication  on  the  26th  of  December,  a  protest  of 
Bro.  Solomon  Moses,  against  the  election  iu  Lodge  No.  9,  was  consid- 
ered. Moses  and  Heury  Samson  had  been  candidates  for  the  office  of 
Junior  Warden  ;  at  the  election  eight  votes  were  cast  for  Samson  and 
Moses  each,  and  one  for  David  Sarzedas.  The  by-laws  of  the  Lodge 
provide  that  iu  the  case  of  a  tie,  on  a  second  ballot,  the  Master  should 
give  the  casting  vote.  But  on  this  occasiou  the  Master,  without  order- 
ing a  second  ballot,  gave  his  casting  vote  in  favor  of  Samson,  who  was 
then  declared  elected.  The  Grand  Lodge  pronounced  the  election 
"illegal  and  unconstitutional,"  and  ordered  it  to  be  set  aside. 

St.  John's  day,  1823,  was  celebrated  by  a  procession,  oration  and 
feast.  The  Grand  Master  was  installed  by  Bro.  John  Geddes,  a  Past 
Grand  Master,  the  late  Grand  Master,  Bro.  John  S.  Cogdell,  being 
absent.  The  new  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Wilson,  delivered  an  able  ad- 
dress to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  he  concluded  by  invoking  all  who 
might  be  affected  by  any  unkind  or  unfraternal  feelings,  to  make  them 
on  that  day  a  sacrifice  on  the  Altar  of  Universal  Love. 

The  dark  shadow  of  the  past  year  does  not  seem  yet  to  have  with- 
drawn all  its  sombre  influence.  Its  penumbra  still  remained.  But  a 
brighter  day  was  already  beginning  to  appear. 

The  fraternity  then  moved  in  procession  to  St.  Michael's  Church, 
where  an  appropriate  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Bro.  Robert 
S.  Symes,  the  new  Grand  Chaplain  and  successor  of  Dr.  Dalcho. 

The  brethren  then  returned  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  the  usual 
thanks  were  returned,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed.  In  the  evcu- 
iuc  the  aunual  feast  was  celebrated  with  the  usual  harmony. 


134-  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    XTII, 

THE   YEAR    1824. 

The  following  were  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  this  year: 

His  Excellency  John  L.  Wilson,  G.and  Master; 

Henry  H.  Bacot,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

William  Wallkr,  Senior  Grand  Warifen; 

JAMES  C.  NoRRIS,  Junior  Grand   Warden; 

Robert  S.  S/mes,  Grand  Chaplain; 

JOHX  BARKER,   Grand  Lecturer; 

Charles  S.  Tucker,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Moses  Uolbrook,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

EDWARD  HUGHES,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Alex.  McDonald,  )   ,*    .     n       7  n 

'J.  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

II.  G.  Street,         j 

Edward  Sebring,       )   r     .     n       , '*»_.—.. 

\  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

GEORGE  1>.  Eckiiard,  ) 


Joseph  Cole,  Grand  Marshal; 

Pavid  Ross,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Joi 

Joh: 

ROBERT  SHAND,  Grand  Tiler. 


»hn  Darby,        1  n       ,  e,     ,7 
\  Grand  Stewards, 

>hn  Mc  anally,  ) 


A  special  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  holden  on  the  3d  Janu- 
ary, 18J4. 

A  proposition  was  made  by  Brother  Barker,  to  change  the  rules  and 
regulations  so  as  to  permit  the  country  Lodges  to  establish  their  own 
fees  for  initiation,  which  was  referred  to  a  committee. 

A  farewell  letter  was  received  from  the  late  Grand  Master,  Brother 
John  S.  Cogdell,  in  which  he  took  the  opportunity  of  expressing  his 
regret,  that  he  permitted  a  domestic  arrangement  to  withdraw  him  from 
attendance  on  the  installation  services  of  St.  John's  day. 

Providence  Lodge  No  35  was,  on  petition,  relieved  from  the  pay- 
ment  of  two  debts  due  by  the  old  Providence  Lodge  No  46,  to  the 
Grand  L  dge. 

Unanimity  Lodge,  formerly  No.  57,  at  Hilton  Head,  was  ordered  to 


IN  SOUTH  CAEOLTNA.  185 

be  furnished  with  a  warrant  on  the  payment  of  its  arrearages.  But  as 
I  do  not  find  this  Lodge  recorded  in  any  of  the  subsequent  registers,  I 
presume  that  it  did  not  avail  itself  of  the  privilege. 

Lodge  No.  80,  at  St.  Augustine,  formerly  held  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  Grand  Lodge,  having  become  extinct  in  consequence  of  a  decree 
of  the  King  of  Spain,  after  the  cession  of  the  territory  to  the  U.iited 
States,  several  of  the  former  members  of  that  Lodge  separated  from 
Lodge  No  28,  then  working  in  that  city,  with  a  view  of  constituting  a 
new  Lodge,  to  wo:k  in  the  Spanish  language.  Th  -y  accordingly 
applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  ot  South  Carolina,  and  at  this  communi- 
cation a  warrant  was  granted  t..»  "  L  i  Esperanza  Lodge  No.  47,"  at  St. 
Augustine,  MoriJa.  It  was,  iu  fact,  considered  as  a  revival  of  the  old 
Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communi?at'on  on  the  2Gth  of  M  irch,  1824.  The  petition 
of  Providence  Lo> IgJ  No.  So,  to  bo  released  fro  n  the  payment  of  a 
debt   adopted  at  the  last  meeting,  was  reconsidered  and  rescinded. 

An  important  question  of  Masonic  law  was  settled  at  this  Communi- 
cation. The  jewels  of  Lodge  No.  30,  at  St.  Augustine,  having  been 
loaned  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  extinction  of  that  body,  'o  Lodge 
No.  28,  at  the  same  place;  on  the  revival  of  Lodge  No.  30,  by  a  part 
of  its  members,  it  was  resolved,  by  th  •  Grand  Lodge,  that  the  loaned 
jewels  shuuld  be  restored  to  them.  The  committee  to  whom  the  subject 
had  beeu  referred,  submitted  the  following  as  the  opinion  of  L'r. 
Dalcho,  which  was  concurred  in  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"The  Grand  Lodge  takes  possession  of  the  warraut  of  constitution 
of  au  extinct  Lodge  as  matter  of  right. 

"The  jewels  and  other  property  it  takes  only  for  safe  keeping. 
These  belong  to  the  Lodge,  and  when  revived  will  be  r  store  1,  unless 
the  Lodge  should  be  in  arrears  to  the  Grand  Lodge." 

Special  Communication  on  the  22d  of  April,  1821.  A  warrant  of 
constitution  was  granted  to  Social  L  >dge  No.  04,  at  Hamburg. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  resolution  of  brother  Baikcr,  proposing 
to  authorize  the  country  Lodges  to  establish  their  own  fees  for  initiation 
had  been  referred,  made  a  favorable  report,  wh<Mi  it  was  ordered  that 
they  should  prepare  the  necessary  amendment  to  the  rules.  This  was 
done,  and,  iu  September  of  this  year,  the  following  amend. uent  to  the 
21st  rule  was  adopted  : 

"  Each  and  every  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction,  not  located  in 
Charleston,  shall,  from  and  after  the  adoption  of  this  Kule,  have  the 
privilege  of  establishing  its  owu  fees  for  couferriug  the  several  degrees 


186  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

• 
of  Fre  ;  M  iso.'.ry  ;  an  1  s>  nvt-h  of  th>;  21st  II  i'c  of  the  '  Ru'es  and 
Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free  Masons  of  South 
Carolina'  as  relates  to  the  fees  to  bo  paid  to  t' e  country  Lodges  by 
candidates  at  their  initiation,  shall  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  repealed  : 
I  rovidrd,  that  the  clause  of  the  said  21st  Rule,  directing  the  sum  of 
one  dollar  to  be  p  iid  by  candidates  at  initiation  in  this  d  gree, for  the 
use  of  the  Grand  Loige,  stand  iu  full  force:  And  provided  utso,  that 
it  shall  not  be  deemed  regular  f.r  any  Lodge  in  the  country  to  confer 
any  of  the  degrees  of  Free- Masonry  on  a  sojourner  or  transient  person, 
whose  usu.il  place  of  resilience  is  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  of  the 
Subordinate  Lodges  in  this  State,  for  a  sum  less  than  twenty-nine  dol- 
lars :  And  in  case  any  L  idge  shall  confer  the  degrees  of  Entered  Ap- 
prentice, Fellow  Craft,  or  Mast  r  Mason,  contrary  to  this  provision, 
such  L  dgj  shall,  on  demand,  p  ty  over  to  t!e  Lodge  nearest  the  candi- 
date's fixed  place  of  abode,  the  whole  amount  of  fees  which  the  Lodge, 
w  thin  w'  osc  jurisdiction  he  may  usually  reside,  shall  be  eutitled  to  for 
hL  initiations  :  And  provide  '  a/so,  that  no  Lodge  shall,  in  any  case, 
reduce  its  charge  for  initiation  to  a  su  n  less  than  sixteen  dollars." 

The  committee  who  proposed,  and  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
who  accepted,  this  alteration,  by  which  a  difference  was  made  in  the 
priee  of  initiation  in  different  parts  of  the  jurisdiction,  were  governed 
by  the  following  views: 

Whin  tin  dif:i\.'ii;e  in  the  valin  of  in  mey  in  different  parts  of  the 
State  is  con.Mdnred,  it  see  ns  ubvi >u$  thit  a  su.n  which  w.mld  be  con- 
sidered udequ  te  iii  one  part  of  th  :  State  to  prevent  too  easy  an  access 
into  our  mysteries,  might  in  another  be  deemed  oppressive,  and  amount 
to  a  prohibition  of  further  initiations.  The  reasoning  appears  logical, 
and  I  am  not  pivpuvd  to  deny  the  prudence  of  the  rule,  although  the 
exp  rience  o.  the  wisdo  u  of  future  Grand  Lodges  thought  it  necessary 
to  return  to  the  old  rule  of  uniformity  of  prices. 

Attention  now  began  to  be  paid  to  the  condition  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
library,  and  the  committee  on  books  were  ordered  to  take  the  necessary 
measures  for  its  speedy  increase. 

Special  Communication  on  the  24th  of  April,  1826,  for  the  purpose 
of  attending  the  funeral  of  Bro.  John  Langton,  Past  Grand  Treas- 
urer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  10th  day  of  May,  1824,  to  consider 
the  cases  of  Bros.  Baldwin  and  Fitch. 

Daniel  Baldwin  aud  A.  Fitch  had  been  definitely  suspended  by 
Columbia  Lodge  No.  39.     The  terra  of  suspension  having  terminated. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  187 

Lod»\-  \o.  30  refused  to  restore  them  to  the  privileges  of  membership, 
whereupon  they  appealed  to  the  Grand    Lodge. 

It  was  ordered  that  Lodge  No.  39  show  cause,  at  the  Quarterly  Com- 
munication in  June,  why  the  said  Baldwin  and  Fitch  s!i.  uld  not  be 
restored  to  their  late  suspended    rights  as  members  of  ihu  said  Lolge. 

Special  Communication  on  tlie  9th  of  Juno  to  attend  the  'uncial  of 
Robert  Shand,  late  Grand  Tiler.  As  a  token  of  respect  the  members 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  directed  to  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  for 
thirty  days,  an  1  the  sy  ubols  an  J  furniture  of  tin  Grand  L<>dgc  were 
dressed  in  mourning  at  the  tiexl  Quarterly  Communication. 

Special  Communication  on  the  23d  of  June.  1824,  to  a*t  nd  the 
funeral  of  Bro  dames  Gall  »way,  who,  for  many  years,  had  been  the 
keeper  of  the  Masonic  Hall  in  this  city,  and  in  whose  hou  e  many  of 
the  Lodges  had  been  accusto  ncd  to  meet. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  nf  ;u  ie,  182+  T  e  snbj  'ct 
of  the  restoration  of  Brothels  Baldwin  and  Fitch,  which  had  b  en  ie- 
ferred  to  this  Communication,  wis  pistponKl  at  th  •  request  of  Bro. 
Benj.  F.  Dunkiu,  the  proxy  of  L>dgc  39,  until  his  return  from  the 
country. 

The  Grand  Master  gave  notice  .'at  he  had  appointed  Bro.  John 
Roche  Grand  Tiler,  and  he  was  accordingly   introduced    ami    installed 

Special  Communication  on.the  Uth  oi  August,  1  s_ 4 .  The  Grand 
Lodge  refused  to  adopt  a  resolution  providing  for  the  annual  election 
of  an  Orator  for  St.  John's  day. 

Liberty  Hill  Lodge  No.  42  was  required  to  show  cause  why  llol  ert 
Blair,  expelled  by  said  Lodge,  should  not  b<  restored  to  all  the  privi- 
leges of  Masonry. 

On  an  appeal  of  Charles  Pickett,  from  a  decision  of  Mount  Pleas-ant 
Lodge  No.  49,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Lodge  should  appoint  Bonie 
worthy  brother,  the  appellant  another,  and  these  two  a  third  ami  that 
these  three  should  constitute  a  committee,  with  full  power  and  authority 
to  inquire  into  all  the  matters  and  differences  between  Pickett  and 
others,  and  to  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  result  of  the  investi- 
gation, together  with  their  opinion  and  advice  thereon.  This  was,  in 
fact,  the  appointment,  but  in  an  irregular  way,  of  a  oommissitn,  a 
mode  which  was  never  afterwards  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  September,  1824.  A 
motion  made  by  Bro.  Moses  Holbrook  was  adopted,  "that  a  co  imittee 
of  five  be  appointed  to  take  iuto  consideration  the  propriety  of  i  latkut- 


|38  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ing  an  Asylum  for  indigent  orphans  of  our  deceased  brethren,  and,  if 
expedient,  to  devise  some  plau  for  carrying  the  same  into  effect." 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  made  at  the  Quarterly  Communica- 
tion in  March,  1825,  and  will  be  found  in  its  proper  place. 

The  conduct  of  the  Grand  Lecturer,  Barker,  does  not  appear  to  have 
giv^n  entire  satisfaction,  for,  at  this  Communication,  a  resolution  was 
adopted  to  dispense  with  the  office  of  Grand  Lecturer  and  Inspector. 
Barker  resigned,  at  a  subsequent  Communication,  his  membership  in 
the  Grand  Lodge,  but  he  did  not  immediately  leave  the  State,  but  con- 
tinued the  dissemination  of  the  high  degrees  under  the  authority  of 
the  Supreme  Council 

Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Columbia  on  the 
3d  of  December,  IS24.  For  the  fist  time  since  the  adoption  of  the 
rule,  directing"  tht  an  Annual  Communication  should  be  held  at  that 
place,  the  Grand  Master  presided  over  its  deliberations.  He  was, 
however,  the  only  Grand  Officer  in  attendance,  and  his  presence  is 
probably  to  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  he  was,  as  Governor  of  the 
State,  obliged  to  be  in  Columbia  at  that  time. 

L  dge  No.  16,  at  Beckhamsville,  requested  instruction  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  admitting  a  candidate  who  was  lame  from  white  swelling, 
which  they  thought  would  n:>ver  injure  him.  The  matter  was  referred 
by  the  Gran  J  Lodge  to  the  Lodge  for  decision.  This  was  undoubtedly 
a  timid  declination  of  duty  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  who 
should  have  decided  the  question  in  one  way  or  another. 

A  communication  was  received  frjin  Lodge  No.  49,  requesting  the 
instruction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  following  quLStious,  as  necessary 
to  a  case  depending  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  Fairfield  District, 
wherein  Brother  Charles  Pickett  is  defendant : 

1st.  Whether  a  Brother  is  at  liberty  to  discover  by  way  of  testi- 
mony, any  fact  which  transpired  within  the  Lodge,  or  in  Masonic  con- 
fidence ? 

2d.  Whether  a  Lodge  is  at  liberty  to  authorize  the  promulgation  of 
a  communication,  made  in  the  form  of  charges  by  ore  Brother  against 
another,  containing  criminal  accusations,  if  they  believe  them  ground- 
less and  malicious  ? 

In  reply,  it  was  unanimousl  resolved,  "  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Grand  Lodge,  that  ueither  a  brother  nor  a  Lodge  has  the  right  to  pro- 
mulgate such  a  communication. 

Adjourned  Communication  at  Columbia  on  the  6th  December,  18-4. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  189 

No  Grand  Officer  was  present,  and  no  business  of  any  importance  was 
transacted.  A  communication  from  Columbia  Lodge  No.  89,  on  the 
subject  of  the  inequality  of  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  was 
referred  to  a  meeting  of  that  body  in  Charleston. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  December.  1824.  The 
annual  election  of  officers  took  place,  and  John  Geddes  was  elected 
Grand  Master. 

It  was  o  dercd  that  a  procession  should  take  pi  ce  on  St.  John's  day. 

Special  Communication  on  the  24th  of  December,  1824.  It  was 
resolved,  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  procure  the  five  Orders  of 
Arehitec  ure  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  was  dune,  but  the 
articles  of  furniture  were  subsequen  ly  destroyed  in  the  gr  at  fire  of 
1S38,  and  have  never  since  bee;    replaced. 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed  by  Brother  Samuel  Seyle.  It 
was  laid  over  for  consideration,  and  was  not  finally  a  (opted  until  the 
30th  of  September  in  the  following  year.  It  has,  however,  since  that 
time  prevailed  as  a  ruling  principle  in  the  jurisdiction  of  this  State, 
and  the  usage  has  been  uniform  to  exempt  minister*  of  religion  from 
the  expenses  of  initiation  : 

"Whereas,  no  man  can  be  a  Mason  unless  he  believes  in  the  true 
and  living  God,  to  whom  we  all  bow:  and  whereas  those  who  have 
devoted  themselves  to  the  altar  o.f  Jehovah  as  his  ministers,  do  cheer- 
fully administer  at  the  Masonic  altar,  after  having  been  made  acquaint- 
ed with  the  secrets  of  the  Craft,  and  are  helps  aud  lights  to  us  in  many 
situations:  therefore, 

"  Readied,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free-Masons  of  South- 
Carolina  will  not  require  from  the  Subordinate  Lodges  under  its  juris- 
diction, any  fee  for  the  entering  passing  or  raising  any  person  who  is 
regularly  and  properly  acknowledged  by  the  religious  denomination  to 
which  ho  belougs,  to  be  a  minis'er  cf  God  according  to  their  usages, 
nor  require  any  annual  contribution  on  his  account." 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  with  the  Craft,  met  in  the  morning  at  the  Grand  Lodge 
room. 

Brother  Jervis  II.  Stevens,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  installed  the 
Grand  Master  elect,  Brother  John  Geddes,  who  then  installed  the  other 
Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers. 

The  Grand  Master  delivered  an  address,  which  I  am  happy  to  be 
able  to  preserve  for  futu  e  reference.  It  is  an  able  production  lor  the 
times,  aud  shows  that  even  at  that  early  period  the  philosophic  priuci- 


190  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOxNfRY 

pi  ■•  of  .  •oeniasjnry,  now  so  well  understood,  had  already  been  begun 
to  be  cultivated  by  some  few  Masonic  disciples  in  (his  jurisdiction. 
The  atte  iiptcd  expla  atio  i  of  ihe  origin  of  the  two  Johannite  festivals 
is  far  in  advance  of  the  lame  and  impotent  conclusions  to  which  Dr. 
Daleho  was  leading  the  Craft,  in  the  notes  to  the  second  edition  of  his 
A  hiii!?u)  Kvzuti. 

The  disc.our<e  is,  therefore,  published  entire,  as  a  nut  unworthy  con- 
trib   tion  to  the    dasonio  literature  of  the  State. 

Inau  jural  Address  by  John  Geddes,  M.-.W.-.  Grand  Master 
of  iIasons  of  South  Carolina,  27th  December,  A. •....-.  5824. 

llespected  <ni.it  worthy  Brethren  of  litis  Most  Worshipful  G rand  Lodge  : 

"  Advanced  by  your  suffrages  once  more  t.i  the  distinguished  statiou 
of  presiding  over  this  illus'rious  body — this  Masonic  Senate  of  the 
State — with  grateful  emotions,  I  assure  you,  I  shall  endeavour  to  dis- 
charge the  duy  imposed  upon  me  to  ih'  best  of  my  abilities,  with 
mildness,  impartiality  and  brotherly  love,  which  are  essential  puints  in 
the  Grand  I  onstitutions  uf  our  glorious  Order. 

"My  b  st  exe.tions  in  this  ofiiee  will,  I  freely  confess,  appear  feeble 
when  put  in  compuri  on  with  the  ready  talents  and  abilities  of  him 
wiio.ii  1  now  succeed,  and  1  cheerfully  ag'ee  with  the  sentiments  and 
opinions  lie  so  happily  expressed  when  entering  upon  the  duties  of  this 
important  office.  Although  1  should  fail  in  attempting  to  describe 
the. n  with  his  strong  and  expressive  language,  yet  I  will  not  fail  in  my 
earnest  endeavours  to  be  always  punctual  and  impartial;  nor  shall  any- 
thing cause  iih*  to  dispense  with  any  of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  this 
honourable  post  In  elevating  me  to  the  honourable  office  of  presiding 
over  you,  my  Brethren,  you  could  not  have  expected  me  to  display 
those  talents  winch  I  do  not  possess— you  must  have  only  calculated 
upon  my  :.e  d  in  the  cause,  upon  my  willingness  to  serve  you;  .  nd  you 
shall  not  he  disappointed. 

"But  while  saying  thus  much  for  myself,  and  while  paying  a  just 
tribute  of  respect  to  one  now  languishing  upon  the  bed  of  pain,  we 
must  not  fo'get  that  'this  is  Mason's  festive  day,'  and  the  inte-esting 
consideration  expands  all  the  charms  o!  our  assembling;  our  portals  on 
this  solemnity  are  opened  to  every  Lodge  and  to  every  degree;  the 
light  of  this  happy  anniversary  fills  every  Freemason's  bosom  with  joy 
and  d'light;  this  pie isi tig  festival  unites  the  brotherhood  in  bonds  of 
frie  i  Iship,  love  and  charity,  and  affords  us  the  happiness  and  favour  of 
meeting  workmen  i'roiu  ino-l  of  our  temples  iu  the  Christian  world. 


•     IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  191 

"Tn  the  reflective  mint],  Ihe  solemnity  we  now  celebrate  presents 
so. ne  striking  difficulties,  as  111:13  Du  se  "  '"  tne  r,otcs  tn  ,)UI  '  s* 
Ahiman  Rezon.  What  reasonable  connexion,  1  would  respectfully  ask, 
can  you  possibly  establish  between  the  St.  Johns  and  Free-Masonry  ? 
In  vain  do  you  hold  for  me  the  light  of  sacred  history;  in  vain  do  I 
with  eager  curiosity  turn  to  the  lives  of  the  two  St  Johns;  for  nothing 
in  either  satisfactorily  dissipates  the  deep  and  dark  shades  in  which  the 
subject  is  enveloped. 

"Let  us  then  turn  our  attention  to  the  only  remaining  source  of  light 
upon  this  subject,  and  examine  into  the  ///•>'  principles  of  the  respect- 
able institution  of  which  we  all  feel  proud  to  be  partakers.  Here 
every  thing  is  mysterious,  every  thing  is  emblematical  ;  every  won!  that 
strikes  the  car,  every  object  that  meets  the  eye.  each  brings  to  our  re- 
collection those  sublime  ideas,  those  learned  lectures,  which  arj  un- 
derstood only  by  the  elected  and  the  free.  From  thtse  principles, 
then,  we  could  pursue  the  investigation,  and  satisl'aett  rily  establish  the 
fact,  that  Free-Masonry  has  an  intimate  connexion,  and,  in  many 
respects,  closely  imitates  the  sacr  d  mysteries  of  t!.e  ancients,  clothed 
in  some  new  dress  and  forms,  rendered  necessary  to  correspond  with 
the  changes  wrought  in  modern  morals  and  Ijy  the  Christian  r.  ligion. 
Through  all  antiquity,  th  •  longest  and  the  shortest  d  ivsof  the  year  were 
festivals  celebrate!  with  sole. an  religi  >us  cere .11  >nies.  Whether  in 
Persia  or  in  India,  on  the  borders  of  the  fruitful  Nile,  0.*  on  the  plains 
and  hi. Is  of  Greece,  'he  Pagan  altars  smoked  with  the  blood  of  their 
victims,  and  with  the  incense  offered  to  Heaven.  History  is  full  of 
these  religious  celebrations  at  the  solstice-. 

"The  regenerators  of  Free-Masonry  doubtless  had  in  view,  in  select- 
ing the  two  St.  Johns  as  the  patrons  of  Free- .Masonry,  something  more 
noble  and  consistent  than  the  pretended  honours  rendered  to  Apollo, 
to  Hercules,  or  to  Bacchus,  an  1  hence  they  clothed  our  sacred  mysteries 
in  a  dress  more  suitable  to  Christian  morals  and  the  Christian  religion; 
they  preserved  for  us  th  long  cherished  festivals  of  the  so'stices;  hey 
Consulted  the  calendar,  and  St.  John  the  U.iptHt  and  St.  John  the 
Evangelist  acquired  the  honour  of  being  regarded  as  the  guardians 
and  patrons  of  Free-Masons  in  every  quarter  of  the  Christian  globe 

"Or  again,  as  an  ingenious  explanation  for  celebrating  our  fes  ivals  at 
the  times  of  the  longest  and  shortest  days  of  the  year,  suppose  the 
word  John,  B  name  now  BO  revered  among  the  Free-Masons,  might 
originally  have  signified  what  we  n(  present  express  by  the  word 
auLtice,  aud   that   the  regcucrutors  of  our.   Drier  proposed  to  contiuue 


192  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

the  celebration  of  these  long  established  epochs  of  the  year,  and  all 
difficulties  of  connexion  vanish  This  explanation,  which  we  have 
copied,  is  only  for  your  ronsi.de ration,  not  for  your  belief.  But,  as 
Free-Masonry  is  totally  independent  of  particular  religions,  and  equally 
belongs  to  all  ages  and  to  all  countries,  we  must  add,  that  these  days 
were  not  selec.ed  to  offer  prayers  to  the  guirdian  saints  whose  names 
They  bear;  there  is,  you  all  well  know,  no  resemblance  iu  our  cere- 
monies to  support  such  a  supposition. 

"With  these  views  of  the  universality  of  Free-Masofiry,  we  can  duly 
and  easily  appreciate  the  strong  feeling?*  which  agitated  the  breast  of 
every  Brother  present  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  France,  in  December, 
1809,  when  the  mast  illustrious  Brother  Prince  Askeri-Kiian,  possessed 
of  all  the  laurels  and  honours  which  could  be  heaped  upon  him  in  his 
native  country,  having  arrived  as  the  Persian  Amba-sad  >r  from  his 
sovereign  to  'the  Great  Nation.'  to  be  instructed  in  the  further 
knowledge  of  men  and  the  sciences,  was  announce  1  at  the  door  as  a 
Free-Mason.  All  local  prejudices  were  instantly  forgotten;  and  the 
liberty  of  religious  opinions,  and  those  moral  principles  which  are  uni- 
versal and  invariable,  were  al  ne  recollected. 

"  But  to  recur  to  the  day  we  ate  celebrating.  It  is  in  3ur  institution 
a  highly  interesting  object  to  contribute  our  share  to  the  h  ppiness  of 
th  ;  whoie  human  race  ;  to  unite  the  natural  and  moral  light  with  the  in- 
tellectual ;  and  whatever  can  promote  this  important  point  of  our  duty, 
cannot  be  foreign  to  a  Free  Mason's  bosom. 

"  The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  is,  as  it  were,  the  very  foun- 
dation, the  corner  stone  of  our  Order;  it  is  the  hinge  upon  which  the 
whole  fabric  turns,  or  the  very  pivot  upon  which  the  system  revolves; 
it  co  npletes,  it  commences,  the  Masonic  year  ;  and  it  has  often  been 
cited  among  the  proofs  off  red  to  reconcile  the  antiquity  of  our  mys- 
teries, and  their  identity  with  those  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans.  To 
remind  you  of  the  fabled  Janus  with  his  d >uble  face,  '■et  qnoil  a  teiyo, 
et  quod  ante  vidrns,'  would  furnish  too  long  developments  for  the  pre- 
sent occasion.  It  canuot  have  escaped  your  recollection,  that  this  was 
an  apt  emblem  of  the  past  and  of  the  future — of  the  ending  of  oue 
year  and  the  beginning  of  another.  In  our  Order,  the  past  is  a  series 
of  glory  and  felicity,  and  may  the  future  bj  an  increase  in  fruition  of 
richer  expectations  for  the  Craft. 

"Let  us  then,  my  respected  Brethren,  practice  the  virtues  of  our 
adopted  guardian,  the  patron  of  this  auspicious  day,  with  fervency  and 
ztul}  that  our  lives  may  be  useful  on  earth,  and  our  souls  acceptable  in 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


193 


Heaven.  In  the  path  of  duty  let  us  walk  regardless  of  opposition, 
fearing  nothing  hut  disobedience  to  the  laws  of  our  Great  Grand  Master 
above;  and  may  we  here  make  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  love,  of  all 
selfish  and  party  feelings,  (if  any  such  exist,)  that  mounting  aloft  upon 
the  theological  ladder  seen  in  the  vision  of  Jacob,  we  may  ascend  to 
'the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,'  and  there  be 
received  by  the  benefit  of  the  pass-word,  a  Saviour's  righteousness, 
into  the  Grand  Lodge  above,  where  humanity,  philosophy  and  intelli- 
gence, with  love  divine,  are  indestructible  and  eternal." 

After  the  delivery  of  this  address,  the  Fraternity  proceeded  to  the 
Circular  Church,  where  they  heard  an  appropriate  discourse  from  the 
lips  of  the  Grand  Chaplain,  Rev.  Brother  A.  W.  Leland,  a  copy  of 
which  was  requested,  to  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  Grand  Feast  was  duly  celebrated  in  the  evening. 

The  following  Lodges  are  reported  on  the  registry  of  the  jurisdiction 
for  the  year  1824.  Several  of  them  had,  however,  become  dormant 
or  extinct,  and  some  had  forfeited  their  warrants  for  non-payment  of 
dues  to  the  Grand  Lodge  : 


No.    1, 

Solomon's, 

at  Charleston. 

o 

"J 

Franklin, 

3, 

L'Etoile  Renaissant, 

4, 

Union  Kilwinning, 

6, 

Union, 

7, 

Washington, 

8, 

Union, 

9, 

Friendship, 

10, 

St.  Andrew's, 

11, 

Winnsboro', 

Winnsboro'. 

13, 

St.  John's, 

Charleston. 

14, 

Orange, 

it 

15, 

King  Solomon's, 

Cheraw. 

16, 

Beckhamsville, 

Rocky  Creek. 

17, 

Good  Intention, 

Pensacola,  Fla. 

18, 

Chester, 

Chester  C.  H. 

19, 

Church  Hill, 

Abbeville  District 

20, 

Harmony, 

Edisto  Island. 

21, 

Pythagorean, 

Charleston. 

99 

Harmony, 

Beaufort. 

194 


H1ST0KY  OF  FREEMASONRT 


No.  23; 

Perfect  Friendship, 

at  St.  Helena. 

25 

Marion, 

Marion  C.  H. 

26 

Sumterville, 

Sumter  C.  H. 

27, 

Newberry  District, 

Hogg's  Store,  Newberry  District. 

28 

Floridian  Virtues, 

St.  Augustine,  Florida. 

29, 

Kershaw, 

Camden. 

30, 

Mount  Moriah. 

Pipe  Creek,  Beaufort  District. 

31, 

Recovery, 

Greenville  C.  H. 

32, 

Philanthropic, 

Yorkville. 

34, 

Union, 

Abbeville  District. 

35, 

Prudence, 

Charleston. 

36, 

La  Candeur, 

il 

37 

St.  John's, 

Santee. 

38, 

St.  Alban's. 

Darlington  C.  H. 

39, 

Columbia, 

Columbia. 

40 

Winyaw, 

Georgetown. 

41 

Laurensville, 

Laurensville. 

42 

Liberty  Hill, 

Liberty  Hill,  Kershaw  District. 

43 

Union  C.  H., 

Union  C.  H. 

44, 

Newberry  C.  H., 

Newberry  C.  H. 

46 

Edgefield, 

Kirksey's  Store. 

47 

La  Esperanza, 

St.  Augustine,  Fla. 

48 

Mount  Hope, 

Pocotaligo. 

49 

Mount  Pleasant, 

Dutchman's  Creek,  Fairfield  District 

52 

Manchester, 

Manchester. 

53 

,  Jackson, 

Lancaster  C.  H. 

54 

,  Social, 

Hamburg. 

The  Lodges  which  made  returns  reported  an  aggregate  membership 
of  777.  There  was  probably  double  that  number  of  Masons  in  the 
jurisdiction  at  that  time. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  195 


CHAPTER  XVII 1. 

THE    YEAR    1825. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1825: 

JOHN  Geddes,  Grand  Master; 

Benjamin  F.  Hunt,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

WxM.  II.  WlLSON,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Thomas  D.  Condy,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

AARON  W.  Leland,  Grand  Chaplain; 

Moses  IIolbrook,  Grand  Treasurer; 

George  B.  ECKHARD,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

Edward  Hugues,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Alex.  McDonald,  ) 

H.  G.  Street  i  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

Francis  G.  Deliesseline,  ) 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  J  Junior  Grand  Deacms : 

C.  C.  Sebring,  Grand  Marshal : 

Joseph  Cole,  Grand  Pursuivant . 

John  Darby, 

Mark  Marks,        I 

7  Tvr    *  r  Grand  Stewards; 

John  McAnally,  | 

Joseph  Samson,    ) 

John  Roche,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  first  meeting  held  this  year  was  a  special  Communication  on 
the  28th  of  January,  1825. 

The  former  committee  on  the  Masonic  Asylum  was  discharged,  and 
a  new  committee  appointed,  consisting  of  Brothers  Moses  Holbrook, 
G.  B.  Eckhard  and  James  Eyland. 

In  the  case  of  Baldwin  and  Fitch,  whom  Lodge  No.  39  had  refused 
to  restore  to  membership  after  the  period  of  their  suspension  hail 
expired,  and  on  which  account  the  Lodge  had  been  called  upon  to 
show  cause  why  they  did  not  restore  them,  a  resolution  was  adopted, 
declaring  "that,  as  in  the  opiniou  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  the  privilege 
of  membership  is  within  the  exclusive  control  of  Subordinate  Lodges, 
the  cause  shown  is  sufficient,  and  the  rule  be  discharged." 


196  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

This  resolution  was  contrary  to  former  as  well  as  subsequent  decisions 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  though  in  accordance  with  the  views  of  Masonic 
jurisprudence  then,  as  now,  generally  entertained  by  the  Grand  Lodges 
of  the  Union.  It  is,  however,  undoubtedly  a  violation  of  all  the  vested 
rights  of  Masons,  as  well  as  of  the  general  principles  of  justice.  Clearer 
views  are  now  slowly  beginning  to  be  entertained  by  Masonic  jurists  on 
this  subject. 

In  a  Report  made  at  this  meeting  by  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secre- 
tary, who  was  a  Mason  of  much  information,  the  doctrine  was  incident- 
ally laid  down,  that  when  notice  of  expulsion,  by  a  Subordinate  Lodge, 
is  not  communicated  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  nor  the  expulsion  confirmed 
by  it,  it  is  no  expulsion.  This  is  the  principle  which  has  always  since 
been  maintained  in  this  Grand  Lodge.  It  is,  however,  not  reconcilable 
with  the  spirit  of  the  resolution  just  referred  to,  in  relation  to  the  ex- 
clusive control  of  membership  by  the  Subordinate  Lodges.  Masonic 
jurisprudence  had,  however,  net  yet  become  a  science. 

A  communication  was  received  from  Washington  Lodge  No.  7,  re- 
questing the  Grand  Lodge  to  convene,  on  the  arrival  of  Gen.  LaFayette, 
for  the  purpose  of  paying  him  due  respect.  No  notice  was  taken  of  it 
at  that  time. 

Lodge  No.  5,  in  Charleston,  asked  for  permission  to  surrender  its 
Charter  and  unite  with  No.  14,  at  the  same  time  requesting  that,  as 
their  object  was  to  lessen  the  number  of  Lodges  in  the  city,  their  Char- 
ter might  never  again  be  given  out  of  the  city.  The  union  was  per- 
mitted, but  the  number  was,  subsequently,  given  to  Lodges  No.  7  and 
8,  which,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  had  similarly  united. 

Special  Communication  on  the  25th  of  February,  1825.  This  Com- 
munication was  called  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  the  reception  of  Gen.  LaFayette,  who  was  expected  in  the 
course  of  the  following  month  to  visit  the  city  of  Charleston,  as  a  part 
of  his  triumphant  progress  through  the  country  as  "  the  nation's 
guest" — a  nation  which,  in  the  maturity  of  its  manhood,  was  gratefully 
returning  to  him  these  tokens  of  its  affection  and  gratitude  for  the 
services  he  had  rendered  it  when  in  the  struggle  of  its  infancy. 

The  Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  resolution  to  invite  LaFayette,  on  his 
arrival  in  the  city,  to  partake  of  a  Masonic  dinner,  and  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter accordingly  addressed  a  letter  to  him,  announcing  the  invitation  in 
the  most  flattering  terms.  But  the  brief  period  which  his  other  en- 
gagements permitted  him  to  stay  in  Charleston,  prevented  him  from  ac- 
cepting the  invitation. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  197 

LaFayette  arrived  in  South  Carolina  on  the  6th  of  March,  1825, 
and  on  that  day  was  welcomed  in  the  town  of  Cheraw,  by  appropriate 
demonstrations  of  grateful  regard. 

On  the  9th  day  of  March,  LaFayette  assisted  in  the  town  of  Camden  in 
removing  and  re-interring  the  remains  of  Barou  DeKalb,  and  in  laying 
the  corner  stone  of  a  monument  to  that  hero,  the  ceremonies  being  under 
the  charge  of  Kershaw  Lodge,  No.  29. 

At  12  o'clock  meridian  a  procession  was  formed,  consisting  of  mili- 
tary and  civic  societies  and  a  large  number  of  citizens,  Kershaw  Lodge 
and  many  visiting  brethren  being  at  the  head.  The  remains  were  thus 
conducted  to  the  yard  in  front  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  where,  after 
prayer  by  the  Rev.  Robert  McLeod,  the  remains  of  DeKalb  were  de- 
posited in  the  vault,  the  Masonic  body  giving  the  usual  public  Grand 
Honors. 

The  dispensation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was,  with  the  usual  implements, 
pres2nted  by  Abraham  DeLeon,  the  Master  of  the  Lodge,  to  Gen. 
LaFayette,  who  then  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the  monument  in  due 
Masonic  form,  and  returned  the  tools  to  Robert  Mills,  the  Architect, 
with  the  usual  expression  of  confidence  in  his  skill. 

The  monument  was  subsequently  completed,  and  still  remains  a  hand- 
some and  attractive  testimony  of  the  patriotism  and  zeal  of  the  citizens 
and  Masons  of  Camden,  and  a  pleasing  reminiscence  of  the  visit  of  "the 
nation's  guest"  to  that  city. 

On  the  14th  of  March  he  arrived  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  was 
received  with  the  most  enthusiastic  demonstrations  of  regard. 

On  the  16th  he  was  waited  on  by  deputations  from  South  Carolina 
Encampment  No.  1,  of  Knights  Templar,  of  Charleston,  and  LaFayette 
Encampment,  of  Georgetown.  He  received  the  Knights  in  the  Hall  of 
St.  Andrew's  Society,  where  quarters  had  been  furnished  him  by  the 
City  Council,  and  invited  them  to  au  audience  in  his  private  room, 
where  Dr.  Moses  Holbrook,  the  Grand  Commander,  and  the  other  Tem- 
plars, were  introduced  by  the  Rev.  Cheever  Felch,  of  the  United  States 
Navy. 

In  reply  to  the  complimentary  address  of  the  Grand  Commander, 
LaFayette  said : 

"lam  extremely  happy  in  receiving  this  testimony  of  your  respect  and 
esteem.  During  my  present  visit  to  this  country,  the  attentions  of  my 
Masouic  brethren  have  afforded  me  the  greatest  pleasure.  I  wish  them 
every  prosperity.  It  is  with  pain  that  I  have  to  regret  that  my  hurried 
visit  through  the  Southern  section  of  the  Union  does  not  allow  me  to 


298  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

accept  those  brotherly  and  friendly  invitations  of  the  Fraternity,  which 
have  been  offered  me  in  this  city.  Nothing,  since  my  arrival  in  this 
countrv,  has  afforded  me  more  gratification  than  the  kind  favors  I  have 
received  from  my  brethren.  I  beg  you  to  assure  the  Masonic  Institu- 
tion to  which  you  belong,  that  the  reasons  which  I  have  already  assigned 
only  prevent  me  from  accepting  the  invitation  which  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina  has  teudered. 

"  Knights,  Companions,  you  will  accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  Ma- 
sonic and  individual  prosperity  and  happiness.  Should  I  ever  stand  in 
need  of  defence,  I  can  rely  on  your  Order." 

He  was  then  addressed  by  Sir  James  Coggeshall,  in  behalf  of  LaFayette 
Encampment,  at  Georgetown.  In  reply,  the  General  expressed  his  gra- 
tification at  the  honor  the  Encampment  had  done  him  in  selecting  his 
name  and  in  electing  him  an  honorary  member. 

The  Supreme  Council  of  the  Thirty-third  Degree  bad,  on  the  16th  of 
September,  1824,  passed  a  resolution  that,  on  the  arrival  of  LaFayette 
in  the  city,  the  members  would,  as  a  mark  of  the  respect  they  enter- 
tained for  his  virtues,  offer  to  confer  on  him  the  Thirty-third  and  ap- 
pendant Degrees  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Ilite.  Unfortunately, 
during  his  visit  to  New  York,  he  had  been  induced,  through  utter 
ignorance  of  its  authority,  to  receive  the  Degrees  of  the  Pike  from  the 
spurious  body  which  had  been  established  there  by  Cerneau.  On  his 
arrival  in  Charleston,  some  attempt  was  made,  by  private  persons,  to 
explain  to  him  the  illegitimate  nature  of  the  authority  which  had  been 
imposed  upou;  but  respect  for  the  peculiar  delicacy  of  his  position  pre- 
vented the  Supreme  Council  from  officially  intruding  on  him,  and  he, 
therefore,  received  no  visit  from  that  body. 

The  spurious  Consistory  of  the  Thirty-second,  which  had  been  estab- 
lished in  Charleston,  by  Cerneau,  does  not  seem  to  have  been  actuated 
by  the  same  feelings  of  delicacy,  and  that  body,  accordingly,  paid  him 
an  official  visit,  and  invited  him  to  attend  a  meeting,  which  invitation 
he  declined  on  the  plea  of  his  brief  stay,  but  really,  I  have  been  in- 
formed, because  he  was  unwilling  to  take  any  part  in  the  unfortunate 
dissensions  which  were  then  existing  among  the  Craft. 

The  visit  of  the  spurious  Consistory  gave  offence  to  many  Masons, 
and  public  notice  was  taken  of  it  iu  the  newspapers  in  very  harsh  terms 
by  some  anonymous  writer. 

On  the  whole,  the  Masonic  demonstrations  towards  this  illustrious 
visitor  were  of  a  less  imposing  character  in  Charleston  than  in  any  other 
city  of  the  Union;  but  this  apparent  want  of  respect  is  to  be  solely  at- 


IN    SOUTH   CAROLINA.  I99 

tributed  to  the  unpleasant  and  discordant  condition  of  the  Craft  at  the 
time  of  his  visit,  and  not  to  any  want  of  veueratiou  and  affection  for  his 
character  and  person. 

Quarterly  Communication  011  the  25th  of  March,  1825.  A  report  on 
the  Grand  Treasurer's  books  showed  that  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
amounted  to  $5,551. 

The  Committee  on  the  Asylum  for  the  orphans  of  deceased  brethren 
made  the  following  report,  which  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  Al- 
though the  measures  then  recommended  have  never  yet  been  carried 
into  effect,  yet  the  very  proposal  of  such  a  plan  was  an  evidence  that  a 
portion  of  the  Fraternity  fully  appreciated  the  benevolent  character  of 
the  institution,  and  the  record  of  even  an  attempt  to  do  good  is  well 
worthy  of  preservation.     The  report  is  in  these  words : 

"  The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  motion  of  Brother  Moses 
Holbrook,  to  report  upon  the  practicability  of  establishing  an  Asylum 
for  Orphans  of  indigent  Brethren  in  this  State,  and  to  devise  some  plan 
for  carrying  the  same  into  effect,  respectfully  beg  leave  to  offer  the  fol- 
lowing outline  of  a  plan  : 

"  The  Committee  are  fully  aware  of  the  long  time  necessary  to  carry 
the  same  into  operation,  even  if  it  should  be  unanimously  adopted. 
The  sooner,  therefore,  it  shall  be  adopted,  the  sooner  may  its  fruits  be 
realized.  The  final  decision  upon  the  question  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  is 
not  asked  at  present.  The  plan  is  submitted  for  the  benefit  of  learning 
the  opinion  of  the  Country  Lodges,  without  whose  aid  it  can  never  suc- 
ceed. 

"  Whereas  the  establishment  of  an  Asylum  for  the  educating  and  in- 
structing the  helpless  orphans  of  a  deceased  brother  would  give  an  ad- 
ditional claim  to  the  support  and  esteem  of  the  generous,  prudent  and 
reflecting  part  of  the  community,  and  furnish  to  the  scoffing  and  skep- 
tical part,  a  strong  proof  of  the  real  benevolence  of  the  views  and  priu 
ciples  of  Freemasonry,  and  would  recommend  itself  to  the  philanthropic 
feeling  of  every  good  mau ;  and  whereas  it  would  moreover  create  for 
our  society  and  for  itself  an  imperishable  monument  of  credit  and  re- 
nown, as  it  contemplates  to  lay  the  foundation  for  a  great,  a  lasting  and 
valuable  public  charity,  which  will  transmit  to  all  succeeding  ages,  gen- 
erous and  irresistible  evidence  of  the  influence  which  the  genuine  prin- 
ciples of  Freemasonry  have  upon  the  practice  of  all  those  who  profess 
to  be  its  disciples  and  followers :     Therefore, 

•  /.Y  it  resolved,  1st.  That  the  Grand  Lodge  do  now  form  and   in- 


200  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

stitute  an  Asylum,  to  be  styled,  '  South  Carolina  Asylum  for  Orphans 
of  indigent  Freemasons;'  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  and  educating 
such  children  in  all  the  useful  learning  and  arts  which  may  be  neces- 
sary to  make  them  worthy  members  of  society. 

"  2d.  That,  for  the  well  managing  and  conducting  all  the  concerns 
of  the  Asylum,  the  Grand  Lodge  do,  in  addition  to  the  Most  Worship- 
ful Grand  Master,  who  shall  ex  officio  be  chairman,  elect  by  ballot,  at 
the  stated  Quarterly  Communication  in  June,  —  Trustees,  which  num- 
ber shall  be  chosen  every  four  years  thereafter;  and  all  vacancies  which 
may  occur  in  their  number  by  death  or  resignation,  shall  be  filled  for 
the  remaining  time  at  the  next  succeeding  Quarterly  Communication. 

"  3d.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  these  Trustees,  by  themselves  separate 
from  the  Council,  to  receive  all  subscriptions  and  donations  to  this  in- 
stitution, and  to  invest  the  same,  together  with  all  interest  and  profits 
accruing  therefrom  (after  deducting  the  necessary  expenses),  in  the 
Dame  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  above  named  Asylum,  and  to  receive 
and  to  hold,  and  to  invest  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  as  well  as  to  sell  and 
to  reinvest  all  property  and  moneys  whatsoever,  which  shall  come  into 
their  hands,  and  for  all  which  it  is  hereby  ordered  they  shall  be  held 
responsible,  to  account  at  the  direction  of  a  majority  of  the  Council 
when  annually  convened. 

"4th.  All  investments  shall  be  made  on  bond  or  mortgage  of  unin- 
cumbered real  estate,  or  in  the  public  stocks  of  this  State,  or  of  its  in- 
corporated Banks,  or  in  United  States  stocks,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Trustees.  The  Trustees  shall,  as  soon  as  may  be  after  their  election, 
choose  a  Secretary  and  Treasurer  from  their  number,  and  make  such 
by-rules  as  may  be  proper,  for  the  better  regulating  and  conducting  the 
affairs  of  this  Institution,  in  order  to  receive  its  highest  interest;  sub- 
ject, however,  to  the  controlling  power  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  all  cases; 
and  their  Treasurer  shall  give  bonds  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  twice  the 
amount  of  moneys  in  his  hands,  with  good  and  sufficient  sureties,  to  be 
approved  by  the  Trustees,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  all  duties  as 
Treasurer  aforesaid;  which  bond  shall  be  deposited,  after  being  record- 
ed, with  the  Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  time  beirig. 

"  5th.  That  the  Trustees,  with  the  representatives  and  individuals 
who  may  acquire  the  right,  in  the  manner  hereafter  mentioned,  shall 
form  a  Council  for  the  regulation  of  all  the  concerns,  and  for  carrying 
into  effect  all  the  objects  of  this  charity — the  Trustees  possessing  only 
equal  rights  with  the  other  Members  of  the  Council.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  Council  to  assemble  at  least  once  a  year,  and  as  much  oftener 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  201 

as  they  shall  deem  fit ;  and  to  them  the  Trustees  shall  annually  sub- 
mit a  full  statement  of  all  investments,  donations  and  subscriptions,  with 
the  names  of  the  societies,  corporations,  or  individuals,  together  with 
receipts  and  disbursements  during  the  year  past — which  shall  afterward 
be  handed,  with  any  comments  made  by  the  Couucil,  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
to  be  inserted  and  circulated  in  the  Annual  Abstract  of  the  Proceedings 
of  this  Most  Worshipful  Body. 

"6th.  That  the  Asylum  shall  be  located  in  a  central  and  healthy 
part  of  the  State  ;  and  it  shall  go  into  operation  whenever  two-thirds  of 
the  Council  shall  think  proper. 

"  7th.  That  to  evince  its  estimation  and  high  regard  for  this  In- 
stitution, the  Grand  Lodge  do  hereby  appropriate  annually  the  sum 
of hundred  dollars. 

"8th.  That  every  Subordinate  Lodge  in  the  State  be  invited  to  an- 
nually subscribe  not  less  than dollars,  to  entitle  its  Master,  or  his 

proxy,  to  a  seat  in  the  Council,  and  giving  the  Lodge  a  right  to  recom- 
mend Orphans  for  this  bounty. 

"9th.   That  a  donatiou  of hundred    dollars    shall   entitle    the 

donor  to  a  seat  in  the  Council  for  life,  and  invest  him  with  the  privi- 
lege to  recommend  Orphans  for  the  benefit  of  this  charity. 

"  10th.  That  every   association  or  corporate  body,  which  shall  make 

a  donation  of hundred  dollars,  shall  have   one   Representative  in 

the  Council ;  and  for  every  additional  two  hundred  dollars,  one  addi- 
tional Representative ;  and  such  association  and  bodies  shall  have  the 
privilege  of  recommending  Orphans  to  the  charity. 

"11th.  That  any  individual  who  shall  give dollars  per  annum, 

shall  have  a  seat  in  the  Council  during  the  time  of  his  subscription,  and 
be  entitled  to  recommend  Orphans  to  the  charity. 

"  12th.  That  whenever  any  individual   shall  give  or  bequeath 

thousand  dollars  to  the  institution,  the  donor's  name  shall  be  inserted 
instead  of  the  words  'South-Carolina,'  and  the  charity  shall  for  ever 
after  bear  his  name. 

"13th.  That  these  resolutions  be  printed  and  circulated  to  all  the 
Lodges  in  the  State,  for  their  opinion  upon  the  same. 

"All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

MOSES  HOLBROOK,^ 

GEO.  B.  ECKHARD,  [  Committee." 

JAMES  EYLAND,       j 

Special  Communication  on  the  10th  of  April,  1825,  to  attend  the 


202  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

funeral  of  the  Rev.  Robert  S.  Syines,  Past  Grand  Chaplain.  There 
can  be  no  greater  evidence  of  the  ignorance  then  prevailing  in  relation 
to  some  of  the  most  important  points  of  Masonic  law  than  the  record 
that  on  this  occasion  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  on  the  Entered  Ap- 
prentice's degree.  There  has  been  much  improvement  in  these  things. 
There  is  not  a  Subordinate  Lodge  in  the  jurisdiction  which,  at  the 
present  time,  would  propose  to  attend  a  funeral  in  any  other  than  the 
Master's  degree. 

Special  Communication  on  the  14th  of  April,  1825.  The  old  war- 
rant of  constitution  of  Orangeburg  Lodge  No.  12,  which  had  been 
surrendered  in  1818,  was  restored  to  Thomas  Tatem  and  other  appli- 
cants. 

In  consequence  of  the  expenses  incurred  by  Lodge  No.  11,  at  Winns- 
boro',  in  erecting  a  suitable  building  in  which  to  hold  its  meetings,  its 
last  annual  dues  were  remitted  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  memorial  of  Columbia  Lodge,  in  relation  to  the  inequality  of 
representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  six, 
to  consider  and  report  on  the  same.  Subsequently,  it  was  taken  from 
that  committee  and  referred  to  another,  with  directions  to  obtain  the 
opinions  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  on  the  subject,  so  that  we  hear  no 
more  of  it  during  the  present  year. 

In  1824  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Hampshire  had  suggested  to  its 
sister  Grand  Lodges  the  propriety  of  erecting  a  monument  to  Wash- 
ington at  Mount  Vernon,  and  proposed  a  plan  for  the  erection.  The 
subject  was  presented  this  year  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
both  in  a  special  letter  and  in  the  report  of  the  Corresponding  Grand 
Secretary.  Rut  nothing  further  was  done  than  to  refer  the  matter  to 
the  Subordinate  Lodges.  The  hour  for  doing  honor  to  our  illustrious 
brother  had  not  yet  arrived.  The  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union,  how- 
ever, generally  took  up  the  subject  with  energy,  but  did  not  pursue  it 
with  perseverance. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  June,  1825,  but  no  business 
of  any  importance  was  transacted. 

Special  Communication  on  the  26th  of  August,  1825.  A  warrant 
of  constitution  was  granted  to  Lodge  No.  55,  at  Walterboro'. 

The  subject  of  a  Masonic  Hall  began  again  to  be  mooted  during  this 
year.  The  want  of  a  place  of  meeting  for  the  Lodges  of  the  city, 
which  should  be  independent  of  the  vicissitudes  and  changes  to  which 
Taverns  were  subjected,  was  sensibly  felt.  Accordingly,  at  this  Com- 
munication, the  initiatory  step  was  taken,  by  the  proposal  of  the  fol- 


h\  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  203 

lowing  resolutions  by  Bro.  Alexander  McDonald,  which  were  laid  over 
for  consideration  until  the  next  Quarterly  Communication  : 

"  Whereas,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free-Masons  of  South-Caro- 
lina is  in  want  of  a  Public  Hall,  and  is  therefore  behind  most  of  the 
Grand  Lodges  in  the  United  States,  and  many  of  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  under  its  own  jurisdiction, 

"  Be  it  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Graud 
Lodge  be  constituted  a  committee,  in  the  name  aud  behalf  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  to  purchase  a  lot  in  a  central  situation,  to  erect  a  build- 
ing thereon,  suitable  for  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Sub- 
ordinate Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction ;  and  that  said  committee  have 
power  to  sell  as  much  stock  belonging  to  the  Grand  Lodge  as  may  be 
necessary  to  purchase  a  lot  and  erect  a  building  thereon. 

"  Be  if  further  Jicsulred,  That  should  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
be  insufficient  to  erect  such  a  building  as  would  be  an  ornament  to  the 
Fraternity,  the  committee  are  then  authorized  to  devise  such  means  as 
they  in  their  wisdom  may  deem  necessary,  to  enable  them  to  complete 
such  building." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  oOlh  September,  1825.  Notice 
was  received  that  Prudcuce  Lodge  No.  35  had  become  extinct,  and 
would  deliver  up  its  jewels,  charter,  &c.,  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  receive  the  same. 

It  was  determined,  that  in  the  payment  by  Subordinate  Lodges  of 
their  dues  for  members,  no  distinction  could  be  made  in  favor  of  honorary 
members,  as  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  silent  as  to  the 
power  of  creating,  aud  the  privileges  conferred  on  such  class  of  mem- 
bers. 

The  resolutions  in  relation  to  the  building  of  a  Masonic  Hall  were 
called  up,  and  after  being  so  modified  as  to  authorize  the  Grand  Officers 
"  to  purchase  or  obtain"  a  lot,  the  subject  was  referred  to  the  Grand 
Officers,  to  report  thereon  in  November. 

The  word  "  obtain  "  was  added,  because  a  plan  was  at  that  time  un- 
der consideration  by  which  it  was  expected  that  the  City  Council  would, 
for  certain  considerations,  permit  the  Grand  Lodge  to  make  use  of  a 
Jot  situated  at  the  West  end  of  the  Market.  It  will  be  seen,  hereafter, 
how  this  plan  was  matured. 

Annual  Communication  at  Columbia,  on  the  2d,  5th,  and  7th  of 
December.  At  the  first  and  second  sessions  the  Deputy  Grand  Master 
presided,  at  the  third,  the  Master  of  Lodge  No.  33.  No  other  Grand 
Officers  were  present,  and  no  business  of  importance  transacted.     The 


204  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

complaint  of  Lodge  No.  39,  iu  relation  to  the  inequality  of  representa- 
tion in  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  referred,  through  a  new  committee,  to 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  to  obtain  their  views,  and  a  report  was  ordered 
to  be  made  at  the  next  Annual  Communication  in  Columbia. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  16th  of  December,  1825.  The 
Grand  Lodge  consented  to  the  union  of  Union  Lodge  No.  6  with  St.  An- 
drew's Lodge  No.  10,  the  united  Lodge  to  take  the  last  number  and  name. 

A  similar  union  between  Washington  Lodge  No.  7,  and  Union  Lodge 
No.  8,  in  Charleston,  was  approved,  and  the  new  Lodge  permitted  to 
be  designated  as  Washington  Lodge  No.  5. 

A  protest  was  read  from  certain  members  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1, 
against  the  proceedings  of  that  Lodge  in  electing  Bro.  Patterson  Junior 
Warden,  he  being  at  that  time  more  than  six  months  in  arrears.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  a  committee,  and  the  Lodge  was  interdicted  from 
proceeding  to  the  installation  of  Bro.  Patterson  until  the  sanction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  obtained.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  the 
subject  was  discharged,  on  the  singular  ground  that  in  matters  of  dis- 
pute, similar  to  that  of  a  contested  election,  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  "  is  appellate  and  not  original,  and  that  until  the  merits 
of  a  contested  election  are  decided  on  by  the  Lodge  where  it  originates, 
no  appeal  can  be  heard  by  the  Grand  Lodge." 

The  motion  which  embraced  this  singular  proposition  was  made  by 
Bro.  Eckhard,  a  distinguished  lawyer,*and  it  is  easy  to  see  how  he  has 
mixed  up  the  notions  of  the  supreme  authority  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  with 
the  technical  ideas  of  appellate  and  original  jurisdiction,  borrowed  from 
the  rules  of  the  courts  of  law,  with  which  he  was  more  conversant 
than  with  Masonic  constitutions. 

A  similar  protest  of  Bro.  Moss  against  an  election  in  No.  9,  was 
read  at  the  same  time,  referred  to  the  same  committee,  and  met,  of 
course,  with  the  same  fate. 

The  committee  on  the  Hall  reported  that  they  had  held  a  communi- 
cation with  the  committee  appointed  by  the  City  Council,  of  whom  it 
had  been  requested  to  grant  the  use  of  the  West  end  of  the  Market 
for  the  erection  of  a  Masonic  Hall  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  that  previous 
to  any  steps  being  taken  therein,  it  was  proposed  that  a  plan  of  the  in- 
tended building  should  be  submitted  for  the  approbation  of  the  City 
Council. 

This  being  the  constitutional  night  for  the  purpose,  the  Grand  Lodge 
proceeded  to  the  election  of  Grand  Officers  for  the  ensuing  year.  The 
Hon.  David  Johnson  was  elected  Grand  Master. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  g()5 

Arrangements  were  made  for  a  procession  on  St.  John's  day. 

Special  Communication  on  the  23d  December,  1825.  Besides  dis- 
posing of  the  appeals  of  Bros  Carey  and  Moss,  already  referred  to, 
the  Grand  Lodge  resolved  that  it  had  no  power  to  interfere  with  the 
regulations  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  while  they  are  consistent  with 
the  rules  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  regards  the  settling  the  arrears  of 
the  members. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Grand  Master  elect,  Bro.  Johnson,  was  not  present,  but  the  late  Grand 
Master,  Bro.  Geddes,  installed  the  other  officers. 

A  procession  of  the  fraternity  then  moved  to  the  Lutheran  Church, 
where  a  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  Bro.  A.  W. 
Leland. 

On  the  return  to  the  Lodge  room,  after  the  usual  vote  of  thanks,  it 
was  ordered  that  six  copies  of  the  Ahiman  Bezon  be  forwarded  by  the 
Grand  Master  to  Brother  Joel  11.  Poinsett,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
and  then  American  Minister  to  Mexico,  with  a  request  that  he  would 
present  the  same  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico  in  the  name  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 

I  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to  speak  of  the  connection  that 
existed  between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  Masonry  in  Mexico. 

The  following  list  will  exhibit  the  number  and  locality  of  the  Lodges 
in  the  Jurisdiction  at  the  end  of  the  year  1825  : 

No.     1,  Solomon's,  at  Charleston. 

2,  Franklin,  " 

3,  L'Etoile  Renaissant,  " 

4,  Union  Kilwinning,  " 

5,  Washington,  "  late  No.  7. 

6,  Union,  "  united  to  No.  10. 

7,  Washington,  "  changed  to  No.  5. 

8,  Union,  "  united  to  No.  5. 

9,  Friendship,  " 

10,  St.  Andrew's,  " 

11,  Winnsboro',  Winnsboro'. 

12,  Orangeburg,  Orangeburg. 

13,  St.  John's,  Charleston. 

14,  Orange,  " 

15,  King  Solomon's,  Cheraw. 

16,  Beckhamsville,  Beckhamsville. 


206 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


No.  17, 

Good  Intentiou,         at  Pensacola,  Fla.,  extinct. 

18, 

Chester, 

Chester  C  H. 

19, 

Church  Hill, 

Abbeville  District. 

20, 

Harmony, 

Edisto  Island. 

21, 

Pythagorean, 

Charleston. 

22, 

Harmony, 

Beaufort. 

23, 

Perfect  Friendship, 

St.  Helena. 

24, 

Spartanburg, 

Spartanburg,  extinct. 

25, 

Marion, 

Marion  C.  H. 

26, 

Sumterville, 

Sumterville. 

27, 

Newberry  District, 

Hogg's  Store,  Newberry  District 

28, 

Floridian  Virtues, 

St.  Augustine,  Fla. 

29, 

Kershaw, 

Camden. 

30, 

Mount  Moriah, 

Pipe  Creek,  Beaufort  District. 

31, 

Recovery, 

Greenville  C.  H. 

32, 

Philanthropic, 

Yorkville. 

33, 

Cambridge, 

Cambridge,  extinct. 

34, 

Union, 

Abbeville  District. 

35, 

Prudence, 

Charleston,  extinct.. 

36, 

La  Candeur, 

a 

37, 

St.  John's, 

Santee. 

38, 

St.  Alban's, 

Darlington  C.  H. 

39, 

Columbia, 

Columbia. 

40, 

Winyah, 

Georgetown. 

41, 

Laurensville, 

Laurens  C.  H. 

42, 

Liberty  Hill, 

Kershaw  District. 

43, 

Union  Court  House, 

Union  C.  H. 

44, 

Newberry  C.  H., 

Newberry  C.  H. 

45, 

Eden, 

Clarendon  District. 

46, 

Edgefield, 

Kirksey's  Store. 

47, 

La  Esperanza, 

St.  Augustine,  Fla. 

48, 

Mount  Hope, 

Pocotaligo. 

49, 

Mount  Pleasant, 

Dutchman's  Creek,  Fairfield. 

50, 

La  Constancia, 

Havana,  extinct. 

51, 

Claiborne, 

Claiborne,  Ala.,  extinct. 

52, 

Manchester, 

Manchester. 

53, 

Jackson, 

Lancaster  C.  H. 

54, 

Social, 

Hamburg. 

55, 

Walterboro', 

Walterboro'. 

IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  207 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

THE    YKAR    1826. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  182(5: 

Hod.  David  Johnson,  Grand  Master  ; 
Benj.  F.  Hunt,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 
William  H.  Wilson,  Senior  Grand  Warden  . 
Alex.  McDonald,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

A.  W.  LELAND,   Gram/  Chaplain; 

Moses  Holbrook,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Geo.  B.  Eckhard,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

H.   G.   Street,  )   e     .      n       -,  n„„  Mka  . 

\  Senior  (rrand  Deacons  ; 

F.  G.  Deliesseline,  J 

Benj.  F.  Dunkin,  )    7     .      n       ■,  n 

'  [  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Samuel  Samson,   ) 

C.  C.  Sebring,  Grand  Marshal; 

Joseph  Cole,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Mark  Marks,  , 

John  McAnally,  n       7  e,       „  7„  . 

>        y  Grand  Stewards  ; 

Joseph  Samson,  j 

Benjamin  Phillips,  J 
John  Roche,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  4th  of  March,  182G.  Bro.  David 
.Johnson,  the  Grand  Master  elect,  being  present,  was  installed  by  Bro. 
John  Geddes,  Past  Grand  Master. 

Bro.  Geddes  gave  notice  that  he  had  transmitted,  through  the  Hou. 
Henry  Clay,  Secretary  of  State,  to  Bro.  Poinsett,  the  six  copies  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon  intended  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  81st  of  March,  1820.  Since  the 
dismissal  of  Bro.  Barker  from  the  office  of  Grand  Lecturer,  no  authori- 
tative instructions  on  the  ritual  had  been  given  to  the  Subordinate 
Lodges.  The  absolute  want  of  such  instructions  had  now  become 
apparent,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  substitute  some  other  mode  in  the 
place   of  that   of  a   Grand   Lecturer,    no   longer   attainable.      On   the 


208  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

motion,  therefore,  of  Bro.  McDonald,  a  resolution  was  adopted  that  "a 
Committee  of  Inspection,  consisting  of  ten  experienced  Past  Masters, 
should  be  annually  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master,  whose  duty  it  should 
be  to  inspect  the  opening  and  closing,  entering,  passing,  and  raising,  in 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  this  city ;  and  to  instruct  them  in  the  work 
adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  order  to  maintain  a  uniformity  of  work, 
and  that  the  sum  of  sixty  dollars  be  appropriated  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  such  meetings  as  the  committee  may  deem  necessary,  so  as  to  enable 
them  to  assemble  and  instruct  such  officers  of  Lodges  as  may  be  found 
unacquainted  with  their  work." 

This  scheme  was  evidently  an  impracticable  one,  and  liable  to  many 
serious  objections.  The  committee  did  not  necessarily  consist  of  pro- 
fessed lecturers  educated  for  the  duty,  and  in  fact  the  majority  of  those 
appointed  were  totally  incapable  of  imparting  instruction,  as  they  were 
almost  entirely  ignorant  of  the  ritual.  In  the  next  place,  the  renewal 
of  a  committee  every  year,  would  be,  in  all  probability,  but  a  renewal 
of  ignorant  instructors,  without  even  the  benefit  of  the  experience  that 
a  permanent  appointment  would,  in  some  degree,  have  secured ;  and 
lastly,  while  provision  was  made,  even  in  this  inadequate  manner,  for 
the  instruction  of  the  Lodges  in  the  city,  those  in  the  country  were  al- 
together unprovided  for.  The  scheme  was,  therefore,  partial  and  un- 
just in  its  operation.  It  is  probably  for  reasons  of  this  nature  that, 
although  the  resolution  was  adopted,  and  the  committee  appointed,  no 
appointment  was  made  in  the  following  year,  and  the  Committee  of 
Inspectors  became  extinct. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  June,  1826.  A  committee 
of  five  was  appointed  to  revise  the  by-laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

In  consideration  of  the  successful  exertions  made  by  Kershaw  Lodge 
No.  29,  at  Camden,  to  erect  a  monument  in  honor  of  the  Baron  DeKalb, 
the  Grand  Lodge,  as  a  token  of  its  approval  of  the  meritorious  act,  re- 
mitted the  dues  of  that  Lodge  for  the  year  1824. 

The  subject  of  the  proposed  monument  to  Washington  was  again 
brought  forward,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  into  the 
proceedings  of  the  several  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union  on  the  subject, 
and  to  report  what  measures  they  might  deem  expedient  to  be  adopted 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  relation  to  the  same. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  1826,  agreeably  to  an  invitation  from  the 
City  Council,  several  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  and  of 
the  Subordinate  Lodges,  with  many  transient  brethren,  assembled  at  the 
Commercial  Coffee  House,  on  East  Bay,  kept  by  Bro.  H.  G.  Street, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLD9  \.  209 

where  a  procession  was  formed,  which  united  with  the  general  one  of 
the  citizens,  and  walked  to  the  Circular  Church,  where  a  eulogy  on  the 
late  Thomas  Jefferson  was  pronounced  by  the  Hon.  William  Johnson. 
The  brethren  then  returned  to  Bro.  Street's,  where  they  were  dis- 
missed. 

By  a  similar  invitatiou,  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges,  with 
many  transient  brethren,  assembled  at  the  same  place  on  the  14th  of 
September,  1826,  and  after  forming  a  procession,  joiued  that  of  the 
citizens,  and  moved  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where  a  eulogy  was  deliv- 
ered on  the  late  John  Adams,  by  Timothy  Ford,  Esq.  The  Fraternity 
then  returned  to  Bro.  Street's  and  were  dismissed. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  20th  of  September,  1820. 

The  amount  of  the  return  of  Walterboro  Lodge  No.  55  was  credited 
to  it  to  aid  the  Lodge  in  the  erection  of  a  hall,  provided  a  lieu  be  given 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  refunding  the  amount  in  case  of  the  dissolution 
of  the  Lodge. 

The  necessary  arrangements  were  made  for  a  procession  and  festival 
on  St.  John's  day,  and  Bro.  11.  B.  Gilchrist,  W.  Master  of  Lodge  No. 
4,  was  elected  the  Orator. 

No  Communication  was  holden  at  Columbia,  this  year.  An  attempt 
was  made,  but  it  was  unsuccessful,  as  there  was  not  a  quorum  of  Lodges 
present. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  15th  of  December,  1820. 

A  communication  from  the  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  American  Min- 
ister, to  Mexico,  in  relation  to  Masonic  matters  in  that  country,  was 
read.  Unfortunately  this  communication  has  not  been  preserved,  but 
in  consequence,  in  all  probability,  of  the  suggestions  which  it  contained, 
the  following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge: 

"That  the  Grand  Lodge  do  constitute  our  worthy  brother,  Joel  R. 
Poinsett,  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States,  near  the 
Republic  of  Mexico,  the  Agent  and  Representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  friendly  relations  with  the  Lodges  of 
that  Republic.  That  our  said  Representative  be  authorized,  in  the 
name  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  visit  and  inspect  the  working  of  the  said 
Lodges,  and,  if  deemed  expedient,  to  grant  dispensations  for  the  consti- 
tuting and  working  of  Lodges  according  to  the  ancient  landmarks,  as 
fixed  by  this  (J rand  Lodge;  with  a  request  that  he  will  communicate  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  such  information  and  advice  as  will  enable  it  to  pro- 
mote the  cause  of  Masonry  in  that  country.'' 
14 


21u  HISTORY  OP  FREEMASONRY 

Thia  was  undoubtedly  a  commission  to  establish  Lodges  in  Mexico, 
and  the  opinion  has  generally  prevailed  in  this  State  that  the  Order  was 
organized  in  that  Republic  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  this  error,  for  error  it  clearly  is,  has  beeu 
fostered  by  the  mistaken  views  of  some  of  the  prominent  actors  in  the 
proceedings  of  that  period.  Thus  at  the  Communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  holden  at  Charleston,  on  the  23d  of  Decem- 
ber, 1847,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  Generals  Quitman  and  Shields, 
Bro.  David  Johnson,  at  that  time  the  Governor  of  the  State,  and  a 
Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  alluded  to  the  fact,  "that 
during  his  administration  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  Grand  Master,  in 
1826,  the  Order  was  first  planted  in  Mexico  by  Bro.  Joel  R.  Poinsett, 
by  means  of  warrants  of  constitution,  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  for  the  establishment  of  Lodges  in  that  Republic." 

In  all  of  this  the  venerable  Past  Grand  Master  had  clearly  fallen  into 
error,  and  had  confounded  the  resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  just  re- 
ferred to,  in  which  it  had  authorized  Bro.  Poinsett  to  establish  Lodges, 
with  the  issuing  of  warrants  by  the  Grand  Lodge  itself.  The  records 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  conclusively  show  that  that 
body  never  issued  a  warrant  for  the  constitution  of  a  Lojge  in  Mexico. 

But  previous  to  the  adoption  of  this  resolution  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina,  in  which  it  commissioned  Poinsett  to  establish  Lodges 
in  Mexico,  the  date  of  which  resolution  is  the  15th  of  December,  1826, 
a  letter  had  been  written  by  Poinsett  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  under  date 
of  June  2d,  1826  (although  not  received  until  the  next  year),  the  con- 
tents of  which  clearly  prove  the  impossibility  of  his  ever  having  acted 
under  the  commission  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  The 
letter,  which  was  read  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in  March,  1827,  is  in  the 
following  words  : 

-  Mexico,  2d  June,  1826. 

"  To  the  Most    Worshipful  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  Freemasons  of  South   Carolina  : 

"Most  Worshipful  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  10th  February,  in  which  you  informed  me 
of  the  resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  to  present  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico,  through  me,  six  copies  of  the  Ahiman 
Jiezon,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  Although 
I  have  not  yet  received  the  books,  I  know  that  they  are  at  Vera  Ciuz, 


IN"  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  0|] 

and  have  commuuicated  the  intention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  to  this  Grand  Lodge. 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico  has,  in  consequence,  requested  me  to 
convey  to  you  their  grateful  acknowledgments  for  this  mark  of  your  at- 
tention, and  their  earnest  desire  to  cultivate  the  most  friendly  relations 
with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  You  will,  I  am  sure,  be 
pleased  to  learn  that  Masonry  is  making  rapid  progress  in  this  new 
country.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico  counts  thirteen  Subordinate 
Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction. 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Most  Worshipful  Sir, 

"  Yours,  most  fraternally,  J.  II.  Poinsett." 

Hence  it  is  seen  that  six  months  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  had  issued  its  commission  to  Bro.  Poinsett  for  the  constitution 
of  Lodges  in  Mexico,  a  Grand  Lodge  was  already  in  existence  in  that 
republic,  with  thirteen  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction.  Masonry  was 
there  un  fait  accompli;  and  neither  the  Graud  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  nor  any  other  Grand  Lodge  had  a  right  to  intrude  and  inter- 
fere with  the  lawful  sovereignty  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  certainly  did  not — it  granted  to  one 
of  its  Past  Officers,  it  is  true,  while  it  was  ignorant  of  the  real  condi- 
tion of  affairs,  the  authority  so  to  do,  but  we  have  no  evidence  that  he 
ever  availed  himself  of  the  authority,  nor  is  it  likely,  with  the 
knowledge  he  possessed  of  the  condition  of  things,  of  which  his  supe- 
riors in  South  Carolina  were  ignorant,  that  he  would  commit  so 
egregious  an  error  as  to  interfere  with  the  legally  organized  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  a  foreign  country  in  which  he  was  tempo- 
rarily residing.  It  is  therefore  not  an  historical  fact  that  Freemasonry 
was  established  in  the  republic  of  Mexico  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina,  although  such  a  belief  has  for  a  long  time  existed  in 
the  minds  of  the  Fraternity  in  this  State. 

The  truth  in  relation  to  the  history  of  Mexican  Masonry  has, 
however,  been  lately  brought  to  light.  In  the  year  1859,  Bro.  George 
Fisher,  of  California,  but  who  was  a  resident  of  Mexico  in  1825, 
issued  a  pamphlet  entitled  "Freemasonry  in  Mexico:  Its  origin,  etc: 
Illustrated  by  original  documents  not  heretofore  published."  This 
brochure  was  originally  published  in  the  "Masonic  Review"  at  Cin- 
cinnati, but  purports  in  its  pamphlet  form  to  be  "revised,  corrected 
and  amended."  It  is  a  most  valuable  contribution  to  the  annals  of  the 
Order  in   America,  and   will  be   found   of  great  use   to   the   Masonic 


212  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

historian.  The  subject  now  under  consideration  is  thoroughly 
elucidated  in  it.  Bro.  Fisher  states,  and  verifies  his  statement  by 
documentary  evidence,  that  in  1825  authority  was  obtained  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  to  establish  three  Lodges  in  the  city  of 
Mexico,  and  the  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett  was  constituted  the  proxy  of 
the  Grand  Master  of  New  York.  These  three  Lodges  subsequently 
established  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mexico.  So  that  Bro.  Poinsett  really 
has  the  honor  of  establishing  Masonry  in  Mexico,  but  it  was  in  1825, 
and  not  in  1826,  and  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York,  and  not  under  that  of  South  Carolina. 

A  communication  of  Bro.  John  Darby,  Past  Master  of  Lodge  No. 
13,  was  received,  complaining  of  the  pi-oceedings  of  that  Lodge  in  its 
late  elections.  Tt  was  referred  to  the  Lodge — a  novel  mode  of  settling 
an  appeal,  and  an  evidence  of  the  ignorance  then  existing  of  the  true 
duties  and  prerogatives  of  a  Grand  Lodge. 

This  being  the  constitutional  period,  the  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to 
the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year.  Benjamin  Faneuil  Hunt 
was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  appropriately  cele- 
brated. 

The  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Bro.  W.  Waller,  Past 
Senior  Grand  Warden.  As  the  late  Grand  Master  did  not  reside  in  the 
city,  he  was  absent  on  that  occasion.  There  were,  however,  other  Past 
Grand  Masters  in  the  city,  and  it  is  unaccountable  why  one  of  them 
was  not  present  to  perform  the  duty  of  installation.  I  fear  that  the 
dissensions  of  1825  had  still  left  some  bitter  spirit  behind  them.  The 
Grand  Master  elect  then  installed  the  other  officers.  The  Fraternity 
afterwards  proceeded  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where,  after  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Bro.  F.  Dalcho,  an  address  was  delivered  by  Bro.  R.  B. 
Gilchrist.  On  returning  to  the  Lodge  room,  the  usual  votes  of  thanks 
were  passed. 

On  this  occasion  the  Grand  Master  wore  for  the  first  time  a  sash 
and  apron,  which  long  afterwards  continued  to  be  the  official  clothing 
of  the  Grand  Master.  They  were  of  scarlet  velvet,  richly  embroidered. 
On  the  sash  were  the  words  "  Holiness  to  the  Lord."  The  apron  was 
one  appropriately  belonging  to  the  Rose  Croix  Degree,  and  was  em- 
broidered with  a  representation  of  the  "Cubical  Stone,"  and  the  mystic 
letters  on  it,  a  symbol  exclusively  belonging  to  the  Ancient  and 
Accepted,  and  the  French  or  Modern  rites.  It  was  altogether  inappro- 
priate for  the  Grand  Master  of  a»Grand  Lodge  of  the  York  rite.     It 


IN"  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


213 


however  pleased  the  fancy  of  the  brethren  at  the  time,  and  as  it  had 
been  imported  from  France  for  the  express  purpose  of  being  sold,  it 
was  readily  purchased  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  In  1852,  at  the  centen- 
nial celebration  of  the  foundation  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  this  apron  was 
very  properly  discarded,  and  a  more  appropriate  one,  with  the  All- 
Seeing  Eye,  the  Square  and  Compasses,  has  been  worn  by  succeeding 
Grand  Masters. 


•J14  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTEK   XX.. 

THE    YEAE    1827. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  this  year; 

Benjamin  F.  Hunt,  Grand  Master; 

R.  W.  Cogdell,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 

Alex.  McDonald, Senior  Grand  Warden; 

G.  B.  EcKHARD,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

Moses  Holbrook,  Grand  Treasurer; 

James  Eyland,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

H.  G.  Street,      >         . 

e,  -r,  c  oemor  brand  Deacons  ; 

Samuel  Rowan,  > 

Samuel  Samson,  ) 

T  0  r  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Joseph  Samson,  > 

Edward  Sebring,  Grand  Marshal; 

Joseph  Cole,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Hark  Marks,       , 

Robert  Pennal,  [ 

L.W.  Sass,  I  Grand  Stewards  ; 

S.  Moses,  Jr.       J 

John  Roche,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March,  1827.     The  Ieiter 
of  Mr.  Poinsett,  already  referred  to,  was  read. 

The  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that 
he  had  received  a  circular  from  Brother  Jeremy  L.  Cross,  requesting  as 
history  of  Masonry  in  South  Carolina,  the  number  of  Lodges,  the 
amount  given  for  charitable  purposes,  and  the  objects  of  such  charity 
I  know  not  whether  this  information  was  given  to  Cross,  but  if  it  was, 
he  never  availed  himself  of  it  in  any  of  his  published  writings.  It  is 
probable  that  he  contemplated  a  history  of  American  Masonry,  but  was 
prevented  from  consummating  the  work  by  the  paucity  of  the  materials 
he  received. 

From  a  report  of  the  Grand  Treasurer,  we  learn  that  at  the  end  of 
the  year  1825  there  were  nine  hundred  and  sisty-four  affiliated  Mason;-" 


IN  SOUTH  C'AllOl.INA. 


215 


in  the  jurisdiction,  six  hundred  and  twenty  of  whom  were  attached  to 
country  Lodges,  and  three  hundred  and  forty-four  to  the  Lodges  in  the 
city  of  Charleston. 

The  finances  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  year  1826,  amounted  to 
$9,045  in  stock,  cash  and  dues  of  members. 

The  subject  of*  building  a  Hall  continued  to  occupy  the  attention  of 
the  Craft,  and  at  this  meeting,  Ales.  McDonald,  to  whose  indomitable 
perseverance  and  indefatigable  exertions  the  Grand  Lodge  was  mainly 
indebted  for  the  successful  completion  after  many  years  cf  trial,  of  this 
object,  proposed  a  resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of 
five,  who  were  to  inquire  into  the  practicability  of  purchasing  a  lot  and 
building  a  Hall  "that  will  be  an  honor  to  the  Craft."  The  committee 
were  authorized  to  have  a  plan  of  the  building  drawn  by  an  architect, 
and  were  directed  to  correspond  with  the  different  Lodges  and  Chapters 
in  the  city,  and  ascertain  if  a  sufficient  sum  could  be  raised,  in  addition 
to  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  resolution  was  adopted  and  a 
committee  appointed.  We  shall  hereafter  see  what  was  the  success  of 
this  plan. 

The  Lodge  at  Georgetown,  having  erected  a  spacious  Masonic  Hall, 
invited  the  Grand  Lodge  to  attend  and  assist  in  the  ceremony  of  con- 
secration. 

Accordingly,  on  the  25th  of  April,  1827,  an  occasional  Communi- 
cation of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  Georgetown,  over  which  the 
Grand  Master  presided,  assisted  by  his  Deputy. 

The  history  of  the  transactions  of  that  day  is  best  given  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  record  : 

"  A  Master  Masons'  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form,  when  the  M. 
W.  Grand  Master  stated  that  an  invitation  from  Lodge  No.  40  had  been 
received,  requesting  the  Grand  Lodge  to  dedicate,  with  the  customary 
Masonic  honours,  a  neat  and  commodious  Hall,  which  that  Lodge  had 
fitted  up  in  Georgetown,  for  Masonic  purposes;  that  the  invitation 
had  been  accepted,  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  Brethren  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity  then  at  that  place,  the  Grand  Lodge  would  proceed 
to  perform  that  solemu  ceremony. 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  new  Hall,  where  they  were 
met  and  saluted  with  the  usual  Masonic  honours  by  the  members  of 
Lodge  No.  40.  The  officers  of  that  said  Lodge  then  resigned  their 
seats  to  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Worshipful  Grand 
Master,  with   the  assistance  of  the  other  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 


216  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

performed  the  interesting  ceremony.  After  pouring  the  corn,  oil,  and 
wine,  in  conformity  to  ancient  Masonic  usage,  the  Grand  Master,  'in 
the  name  op  the  supreme  architect  of  heaven  and  earth, 
dedicated  the  hall  op  lodge  no.  40,  to  religion,  virtue  and 
Science.' 

"  A  numerous  procession  was  then  formed,  which,  after  passing 
through  the  principal  streets  of  Georgetown,  accompanied  by  a  Band  of 
Music,  proceeded  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  where,  after  the  perform- 
ance of  Divine  Service  by  Rev.  Brother  Hugh  Fraser,  an  eloquent 
Address,  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  was  delivered  by  Brother  John 
L.  Wilson,  Most  Worshipful  Past  Grand  Master;  after  which,  the  pro- 
cession returned  to  the  Masonic  Hall,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed 
in  ample  form. 

"  The  festivities  of  that  occasion  were  closed  by  a  splendid  Ball  at  the 
Masonic  Hall,  to  which  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  invited 
and  attended. 

11  During  the  visit  of  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Georgetown, 
they  received  every  attention  which  refined  hospitality,  united  with  the 
fraternal  feelings  of  the  Brethren  in  that  quarter,  could  suggest ;  and 
it  afforded  to  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  highest  satisfaction 
to  witness  the  great  respectability  which  Masonry  enjoys,  and  the  in- 
creasing prosperity  of  the  Craft  in  Georgetown." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  June,  1827,  but  no  busi- 
ness of  any  importance  was  transacted. 

Special  Communication  on  the  10th  of  August,  1827.  A  warrant 
of  constitution  was  granted' to  Abbeville  Court  House  Lodge  No.  57, 
at  that  place. 

It  was  determined  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  a  resolution  to  that  effect, 
that  the  contribution  by  Subordinate  Lodges  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
transient  members,  that  is,  such  as  do  not  reside  in  the  State  sis  months 
in  the  year,  and  who  are  only  charged  half  fees  by  their  Lodges,  should 
be  only  seventy-five  cents. 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Wambaw  Lodge,  formerly 
No.  47,  at  St.  James  Santee,  on  the  petitioners  complying  with  the 
usual  requisites.  I  find,  however,  no  further  notice  of  this  Lodge  in 
the  registers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  suppose  that  the  warrant  was 
never  issued. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  September,  1827.  Ar- 
rangements  were  made   for  the  celebration  of  St.    John's   day,  and 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  217 

Brother  B.  F.  Hunt,  the  Graud  Master,  was  elected  Orator  for  the 
occasion. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Fellowship  Lodge  No.  56,  in  the  Parish 
of  St.  George's  Colleton. 

A  difficulty  having  arisen  between  two  members  of  Lodge  No.  21,  in 
which  the  Lodge  had  neglected  or  refused  to  interfere,  on  the  complaint 
of  one  of  the  brethren,  the  Grand  Lodge  ordered  Lodge  No.  21  "forth- 
with and  without  auy  further  delay  to  investigate  impartially  all  mat- 
ters of  difference,  and  all  grievances,  with  their  causes,"  between  the 
aforesaid  two  brethren. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  situation  of  extinct, 
Lodges,  and  to  take  in  charge  their  warrants,  books,  furniture,  jewels 
aud  other  property  for  the  Graud  Lodge. 

Special  Communication  on  the  oOth  of  November,  1827.  The  fol- 
lowing important  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"  No  transient  persou  shall  be  examined  at  the  door  of  any  Lodge 
under  this  jurisdiction,  on  his  presenting  himself  as  a  visitor,  unless  he 
first  furnish  the  Examining  Committee  with  a  Grand  Lodge  certificate." 

The  Graud  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  like  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Europe,  aud  especially  that  of  England,  from  which  Freemasoury  in 
the  State  derived  its  existence,  has  recognized  the  system  of  Grand 
Lodge  certificates  as  a  part  of  the  old  regulations  of  Masonry,  aud  has 
seeu  with  regret  the  innovation  made  by  more  recently  established  Grand 
Lodges  iu  abandoning  aud  even  repudiating  this  system.  But  in  cou- 
sequence  of  this  very  abandonment  by  many  Grand  Lodges  of  the  prac- 
tice of  granting  certificates  to  their  members,  the  custom  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina  which  required  the  presentation  of  such  cer- 
tificates by  visiting  brethren,  previous  to  an  examination,  proved  so 
inconvenient,  as  many  worthy  brethren  were  thus  deprived  of  the  privi- 
lege of  visiting,  that  it  was  at  length  found  necessary,  without  abandon- 
ing the  priuciple,  at  least  to  modify  the  law.  Accordingly  on  the  7th 
of  December,  1848,  the  following  explanatory  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"The  presentation  of  a  certificate  is  required  by  this  Grand  Lodge, 
simply  as  a  testimonial  of  good  Masonic  standing,  preparatory  to  an  ex- 
amination, and  therefore,  where  the  party  can  furnish  other  sufficient 
evidence  of  his  Masonic  standing,  and  assign  a  satisfactory  reason  for 
his  being  without  a  certificate,  the  Lodge  which  he  proposes  to  visit  may 
proceed  to  his  examination." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  14th  of  December,  1827.  A  letter 
was  received  from  Bro.  II.  A.  DcSaussure,  announcing  the  impossibility 


218  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

of  holding  a  Communication  at  Columbia,  in  consequence  of  five  Lodges, 
the  necessary  quorum,  not  being  represented.  This  was  the  second 
year  that  there  had  not  been  a  Communication  at  Columbia,  as  required 
by  the  Regulations. 

It  was  determined  that  members  of  Subordinate  Lodges  in  this  juris- 
diction should  not,  when  visiting,  be  required  to  present  Grand  Lodge 
certificates.  In  such  cases  Lodge  certificates  were  declared  to  be  suffi- 
cient. This  rule  has,  however,  never  been  enforced,  and  it  has  been 
the  invariable  usage  to  make  no  demand  for  a  certificate  of  any  kind 
from  a  visitor  belonging  to  any  Lodge  in  the  jurisdiction. 

A  warrant  of  constitution  was  grauted  to  Social  Lodge  No.  58,  at 
Edgefield  Court  House. 

An  invitation  was  accepted  from  the  Trustees  of  the  Charleston  Col- 
lege, to  lay  the  corner  stone  of  a  College  edifice  about  to  be  erected  by 
them. 

The  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  annual  election  of  Graud  Officers. 
B.  F.  Huut  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

The  plan  of  a  Masonic  Hall  was  gradually  maturing  under  the  inde- 
fatigable exertious  of  Bro.  Alex.  McDonald,  on  whose  motion  the  com- 
mittee were  empowered  to  purchase  a  lot,  in  a  central  situation,  suitable 
for  the  erection  of  a  Hall,  aud  they  were  authorized  to  sell  or  transfer 
so  much  Bank  stock  belougiug  to  the  Grand  Lodge  as  might  be  neces- 
sary to  pay  the  purchase  money  of  the  said  lot.  It  will  be  found  that 
the  lot,  which  had  indeed  been  already  selected,  was  purchased  early  in 
the  next  year. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated,  as  usual, 
with  a  public  procession,  address,  and  supper  at  night. 

The  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Brother  T.  W.  Bacot, 
Past  Grand  Master.  The  Grand  Master  then  installed  the  other 
officers. 

The  procession  was  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where,  after  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Dalcho,  an  address  was  delivered  by  the  Grand  Master. 

The  Graud  Lodge  requested  a  copy  of  the  address  for  publication  ; 
I  doubt,  however,  if  the  publication  ever  took  place.  At  least  I  have 
been  unable  to  find  a  copy.  I  regret  this,  for,  from  the  bold  and  origi- 
nal mind  of  Mr.  Hunt,  long  afterwards  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  and  impressive  lawyers  at  the  Charleston  bar,  we  have  a  right 
to  have  expected  something  well  worthy  of  preservation. 

A  committee  of  ten  Inspectors,  of  which  Alex.  McDonald  was  the 
Chairman,  was  appointed  to  inspect  the  work  of  the  city  Lodges. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


!19 


The  brethren  spent  the  evening  at  the  banquet,  according  to  the 
record,  "  in  great  harmony  and  friendship." 

Masonry  does  not  appear  to  have  greatly  extended  itself  during  this 
year.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Lodges  in  active  operation  at  thfe 
time,  and  many  of  them  had  made  no  return. 


No 


1,  Solomon's, 

2,  Franklin, 

t,  Union  Kilwinning, 
5,  Washington, 
9,  Friendship, 
10,  St.  Andrew's, 

12,  Orangeburg, 

13,  St.  John's, 

14,  Orange, 

18,  Chester, 

19,  Church  Hill, 

20,  Harmony, 

21,  Pythagorean, 

2:>,  Perfect  Friendship, 
25,  Marion, 

29,  Kershaw, 

32,  Philanthropic, 

30,  La  Candeur, 

39,  Columbia, 

40,  Winyah, 
42,  Liberty  Hill, 


at  Charleston. 


Orangeburg. 
Charleston. 

Charleston. 

Chester  Court  House. 

Abbeville  District. 

Fdisto  Island. 

Charleston. 

St.  Helena. 

Marion  Court  House. 

Camden. 

Vorkville. 

Charleston. 

Columbia. 

Georgetown. 

Liberty  Hill,  Kershaw  District. 


43,  Union   Court  House,     Union  Court  House. 

44,  Newberry  C.  H  ,  Newberry  Court  House. 


46,  Edgefield, 
48,  Mount  Hope, 
52,  Manchester, 
D3,  Jackson, 

55,  Walterboro', 

56,  Friendship, 

57,  Abbeville  C.  H 

58,  Social, 


Kirksey's  Store. 
Pocotaligo. 
Manchester. 
Lancaster  Court  House. 
Walterboro'. 
St.  George's  Colleton. 
Abbeville  Court  House. 
Edgefield  Court  House. 
Lodges  No.  15,  16,  22,  26,  27,  31,  34,  37,  38,  41,  47,  49  and  54, 
are  marked  as  "  suspended." 

Lodges  No.  3,  6,  7,  8,  17,  28,  30,  33,  45,  50  and  51,  had  become 
extinct. 


220  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    XXL 

THE   YEAR     182S. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  this  year: 

B.  F.  Hunt,  Grand  Master ; 

R.  W.  COGDELL,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

G.  B.  Eckhard,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

JAMES  Eyland,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

Moses  Holbrook,  Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

H.  G-.  Street,  )         . 

t,    -r,  (  senior  br rand  Vea cons ; 

S.  Rowan,        ) 

John  Bennett,)         . 
,    ,T7-    -r,  {Junior  Gra  nil  Deacons ; 

J.  W.  Rouse,      ) 

Edward  Sebring,  Grand  Marshal ; 

Joseph  Cole,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Mark  Marks,         \ 

L.  W.  Sass,  I  7  D 

«  -r>  ;-  (j-rand  Stewards; 

Amity  Bailey, 

John  H.  Honour,  J 

John  Roche,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  first  act  performed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  year  1828  was 
laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  Charleston  College. 

At  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  January,  1828,  the 
officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Fraternity  generally, 
met  at  Seyle's  Hall,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample 
form  on  the  first  degree  of  Masonry. 

The  Grand  Master  announced  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  about  to 
assist  in  laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  College  edifice  about  to  be 
erected  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Charleston  College.  Whereupon,  the 
Grand  Marshal  having  organized  a  procession,  the  brethren  moved  to 
the  City  Hall,  where  they  were  joined  by  the  Intendant  and  other 
magistrates  of  the  city,  the  clergy,  the  Trustees  of  the  College,  the 
medical  faculty,  the  officers  and  students  of  the  College,  and  several 


IN  SOUTH  CARoLIN  V  221 

literary  societies.  The  procession  then  moved  to  the  College  yard, 
which  it  entered  under  a  triumphal  arch.  The  Grand  Master  and  his 
officers  occupied  a  platform,  erected  for  that  purpose  at  the  North-east 
corner.  The  orator  of  the  day,  Charles  Fraser,  Esq.,  supported  by  the 
Trustees,  occupied  another  erected  opposite  to  the  former.  The  Craft 
formed  a  hollow  square,  surrounding  the  North-east  corner  of  the 
intended  building.  There  was  a  large  concourse  of  spectators,  includ- 
ing many  ladies,  for  whom  seats  had  been  provided.  When  silence 
had  been  commanded  by  the  Grand  Marshal,  the  Intendant  arose  and 
addressed  the  Grand  Master  as  follows  : 

" Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master:  The  Trustees  of  the  Charleston 
College  are  about  to  erect  a  building  to  be  devoted  to  the  education  of 
youth  in  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences,  the  better  to  lit  them  for  useful 
members  of  society;  sensible  that  your  ancient  and  honorable  Fra- 
ternity, for  many  ages  past,  have  been  called  to  assist  in  laying  the 
foundations  of  public  structures,  destined  to  promote  the  interests  of 
humanity,  I  am  directed  to  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  South  Carolina  to  lay  the  corner  stone  of  the  building, 
with  the  solemnities  which  are  practiced  by  your  venerable  Order  on 
such  solemn  occasions." 

To  which  the  Grand  Master  replied  as  follows: 

"Mr.  Intendant:  It  is  among  the  most  pleasing  duties  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity  to  assist  in  laying  the  foundations  of  structures, 
erected  and  dedicated  to  the  purposes  of  science,  virtue  and  religion, 
and  on  this  occasion  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South 
Carolina  look  with  peculiar  interest  upon  the  enterprizc  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  Charleston  College.  Their  object  is  one  (and  in  which  every 
parent  and  patriot  is  deeply  concerned,)  to  enlighten  the  human  mind 
by  early  directing  it  to  the  acquisition  of  those  sciences  which  con- 
stitute the  basis  of  the  arts  of  civilized  and  refined  society,  and  not 
only  contribute  to  make  men  valuable  citizens,  but  such  is  the  kind 
dispensation  of  Providence,  that  the  more  'eulighteued  the  mind 
becomes  by  a  liberal  education,  the  more  elevated  and  pure  arc  the 
moral  virtues  of  the  heart,  aud  above  all,  learning,  while  it  dissipates 
the  errors  of  superstitiou,  adds  confidence  to  enlightened  faith.  Based, 
as  our  Order  is,  upon  the  great  truths  of  science  and  religion,  we 
accept  cheerfully  the  invitation  to  lay  the  stone  which  is  to  be  the 
head  of  the  corner  to  a  building  which  we  trust  will  become  instru- 
mental in  the  cause  of  human  happiness  and  virtue." 


222  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOIfRY 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  actiug  as  Grand  Chaplain,  then  invoked 
the  blessing  of  Heaven. 

The  Grand  Master,  having  received  the  plumb,  square  and  level  from 
the  Chief  Architect,  descended  to  the  place  where  the  foundation  had 
been  excavated,  the  lower  stone  being  fixed  and  the  upper  stone  sus- 
pended over  it  by  a  triangle.  He  then  applied  the  several  working  tools 
of  a  Fellow  Craft  and  pronounced  the  stone  to  be  "well  formed,  true 
and  trusty."  The  Grand  Treasurer  then  deposited,  in  places  fitted  for 
them  in  the  stone,  various  coins  and  other  mementos,  and  then  the  up- 
per stone  was  lowered  to  the  sound  of  solemn  music,  by  three  several 
motions,  to  its  destined  bed.  The  Grand  Master  striking  the  stone  three 
times  with  his  gavel,  poured  on  it  the  corn,  wine  and  oil,  which  are  the 
Masonic  elements  of  consecration,  and  then  said  : 

''May  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  abundantly  bless  this 
city  with  the  corn  of  nourishment,  the  wine  of  refreshment  and  the  oil 
of  gladness;  may  peace  and  prosperity  long  dwell  within  its  borders, 
and  may  science,  virtue  and  religion  adorn  its  inhabitants.  May  the 
Divine  protectiou  be  over  the  workmen  engaged  in  the  construction  of 
this  edifice,  and  save  them  from  untoward  accidents,  and  may  it  become 
another  building  consecrated  to  the  improvement  and  happiness  of  man- 
kind." 

The  Grand  Master  then  delivered  to  the  Chief  Architect  the  working- 
tools,  saying: 

"To  you  I  now  commit  the  building  of  this  house,  whose  foundation 
has  been  laid  according  to  the  ancient  usages  of  Masonry.  May  you 
prosper  in  your  labor,  and  exhibit,  in  the  perfect  structure,  a  monument 
of  your  fidelity,  skill  and  diligence." 

The  public  Grand  Honors  were  then  given  by  the  Craft,  and  the  choir 
sung  a  Masonic  ode,  which  closed  the  Masonic  ceremonies.  The  ora- 
tion was  then  delivered  by  Charles  Fraser,  Esq.,  and  the  Fraternity  re- 
turned to  their  Hall,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed  in  ample  form. 

Special  Communication  on  the  Gth  of  March,  1828.  It  was  convened 
for  the  purpose  of  attending  thefuueral  services  of  Gen.  John  Geddes, 
Past  Grand  Master,  and  his  son,  John  Geddes,  jr.,  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  13,  both  of  whom  had  died  on  the  same  day. 

In  honor  to  the  memory  of  Bro.  Geddes,  as  a  Past  Grand  Master,  the 
Grand  Lodge  room  was  clothed  in  mourning  for  thirty  days,  and  the 
Craft  were  requested  to  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  for  the  same  space 
of  time. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  March,  1828.     The  Grand 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  $23 

Master  annouuced  that  an  agreement  bad  been  made  for  the  purchase 
of  a  lot  in  Meeting  street,  near  Market  street,  from  John  Hunter,  for 
the  sum  of  nine  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  in  cash  or  otherwise  as 
might  be  required. 

The  Grand  Lodge  sanctioned  the  agreement,  and  ordered  the  pur- 
chase to  be  made.  This  lot  was  the  one  which  has  since  been  occupied 
by  the  New  Theatre  in  Meeting  street.  At  the  time  of  its  purchase 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  it  was  occupied  by  a  number  of  buildings,  for  the 
most  part  small  and  in  a  dilapidated  condition,  the  rents  from  which, 
however,  afforded  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  sum 
paid  for  it  was  $9,516  9(3. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  now  in  possession  of  an  eligible  site  for  the 
erection  of  a  Hall,  but  its  fuuds  had  been  exhausted  in  the  purchase 
of  the  lot,  and  it  became  necessary  to  devise  other  means  for  the 
building  of  the  Hall.  The  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State,  with  the  two 
.Subordinate  Chapters  in  the  city,  generously  offered  to  loan  their 
invested  funds,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  a  little  over  two  thousand 
dollars,  "to  assist,"  as  they  expressed  it,  "in  the  uoble  and  glorious 
undertaking  of  erecting  a  Masonic  Hall."  The  aggregate  funds  of 
the  city  Lodges  amounted  to  nearly  twenty-two  thousand  dollars,  the 
most  of  which,  it  was  announced,  could  be  obtained  on  reasonable 
terms.  But  as  this  was  not  deemed  sufficient,  the  Grand  Lodge 
resolved  to  make  the  attempt  to  raise  a  further  sum  by  a  lottery.  In 
the  year  1815,  the  Legislature  had  made  a  grant  of  a  lottery 
to  the  then  existing  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons.  By 
the  extinction  of  that  body  at  the  time  of  its  union  and  the  surren- 
der of  its  charter,  the  lottery  grant  had  ceased  to  be  available.  But  it 
was  determined  to  endeavor  to  renew  it  or  obtain  a  new  one,  and  the 
Grand  Officers  were  directed  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  revival 
of  the  grant.  Much  influence  was  exerted  on  this  occasion,  and  on 
the  20th  of  December,  1828,  the  Legislature  authorized  the  Grand 
Lodge,  to  raise,  by  one  or  more  lotteries,  to  be  drawn  within  three  years, 
a  sum  not  exceeding  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  time  was,  by  a  sub- 
sequent act,  extended  for  three  years  longer,  but  from  some  neglect  or 
other  cause,  which  cannot  now  be  explained,  advantage  was  never 
taken  of  the  privilege,  and  not  a  dollar  ever  accrued  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  means  of  the  lottery,  so  that  the  grant  obtained  with  so  much 
trouble,  was  allowed  to  expire  bv  its  own  limitation.  Long  after,  in 
1843,  when   the  Grand   Lodge  was  involved  in  an   onerous  debt,  on 


224  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

account  of  the  Hall  which  it  had  erected  in  1841,  an  offer  was  made  by 
a  firm  of  lottery  brokers  in  Maryland,  to  purchase  the  lottery  for 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  if  a  new  grant  could  be  obtained.  Efforts 
were  accordingly  made  to  obtain,  from  the  Legislature,  a  renewal  of  the 
grant.  But  lotteries  had  now  become  unpopular,  and  the  application 
failed. 

This  year  we  find  the  first  record  of  a  Sorrow  Lodge  held  in  this 
State.  La  Candeur  Lodge  No.  36,  working  in  the  French  rite,  al- 
though under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  invited  the  attend- 
ance of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  first  Sunday  in  April,  when  it  was 
intended  to  perform  funeral  rites,  as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  some  deceased  brethren.     The  invitation  was  accepted. 

Bro.  Simon  Magwood,  an  aged  Mason  and  a  Past  Grand  Master,  find- 
ing that  the  infirmities  of  his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  be  absent 
from  home  at  night,  presented  the  Grand  Lodge  with  his  apron,  accom- 
panied by  a  letter,  expressive  of  his  high  opinion  of  the  Masonic  in- 
stitution. The  present  was  accepted,  and  he  was  elected  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Jervis  H.  Stevens  and  Francis  S.  Curtis,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters, 
were,  at  the  same  time,  elected  honorary  members. 

A  communication  from  James  L.  Peigne,  complaining  of  St.  An- 
drew's Lodge  No.  10,  which  had  erased  his  name  from  its  roll  for  non- 
payment of  arrears,  was  referred  to  a  committee.  This  is  here  mentioned 
simply  as  introductory  to  the  record  of  rfn  act  of  some  importance,  on 
the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  which  it  led.  The  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Charles  Holmes,  John  Darby  and  Thomas  11.  Saltar,  reported 
adversely  against  Peigne's  complaint,  and  in  the  course  of  their  report 
took  occasion  to  say  that  he  had  made  contradictory  statements  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  to  the  committee,  and  added  this  language  : 

"  Such  conduct  on  the  part  of  Bro.  Peigne  is  highly  reprehensible,  and 
deserves  severe  punishment,  he  having  attempted  to  deceive  a  commit- 
tee of  this  Grand  Lodge,  by  holding  charges  out,  which  are  in  them- 
selves false,  against  Lodge  No.  10,  and  contradicting  what  he  had 
himself  before  stated." 

For  the  use  of  this  language,  Peigne,  who  has  the  traditionary  repu- 
tation of  having  been  a  man  of  imbecility  of  intellect,  instituted  an 
action  for  libel  against  the  committee.  When  this  fact  was  announced 
to  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  immediately  adopted  a  resolution  directing  the 
Grand  Officers,  in  the  event  of  a  bill  of  indictment  being  found  by  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  225 

Grand  Jury,  to  employ  counsel  to  defend  these  brethren  at  the  expense 
of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Bros.  II.  F.  Hunt  and  H.  A.  DeSaussure,  two 
eminent  lawyers,  at  once  volunteered  their  services  as  counsel. 

The  matter,  however,  never  came  to  an  issue.  The  Grand  Jury,  I 
think,  ignored  the  bill,  but  enough  had  been  done  to  demonstrate  the 
willingness  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  sustain  its  members  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duty,  and  it  is  simply  that  I  might  give  a  record  of  this  fact, 
that  I  have  at  all  alluded  to  the  subject. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  June,  1828.  A  dispensa- 
tion was  granted  to  Lodge  No.  56,  at  Abbeville,  to  lay  the  corner  stone 
of  the  Court  House  about  to  be  erected  in  that  village. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  lot  purchased  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  to  collect  the  rents  and  manage  the  same  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  committee  were  the  Grand  Master 
and  Bros.  Moses  Holbrook,  Ales.  McDonald  and  James  Eyland. 

A  Special  Communication  was  convened  on  the  22d  of  July,  1828, 
in  consequence  of  an  application  from  the  family  of  Brother  Jervis  H. 
Stevens,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  lately  deceased,  who  desired  that, 
in  conformity  with  his  wishes,  he  should  be  buried  with  the  Masonic 
rites.  The  day,  however,  was  a  very  inclement  one,  no  Grand  Officer, 
except  the  Grand  Treasurer,  was  present,  and  the  Master  of  the  oldest 
Lodge  presided.  The  Grand  Lodge,  therefore,  having  expressed  its 
regret,  that  on  account  of  these  circumstances  it  would  be  impossible  to 
comply  with  the  request,  was  then  closed. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  September,  1828. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  St.  John's  day,  and 
Brother  William  Lance,  Master  of  Lodge  No.  13,  was  elected  the 
Orator. 

The  Grand  Officers  were  requested  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  an 
act  granting  the  privilege  of  raising  fifty  thousand  dollars  by  lottery. 
1  have  already  referred  to  this  subject  on  a  previous  page,  and  have 
recorded  the  result  of  the  application. 

Marion  Lodge  No.  25  was  granted  time  for  the  payment  of  its  dues, 
to  enable  it  to  liquidate  the  arrears  due  for  building  a  hall.  A  lien  on 
the  hall  was,  however,  required  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

There  was  no  Annual  Communication  at  Columbia  this  year  for  the 
usual  want  of  a  quorum. 

Quarterly  Communication  on   the   19th  of  December,  1828.     The 
Grand  Secretary  announced  that  copies  of  the  petition  for  the  grant  of 
:i  lottery  had  been  sent  to  both  branches  of  the  Legislature;  and  that 
15 


i>2i\  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

a  circular  had  bceu  issued  by  the  Grand  Officers  to  such  members  of 
the  Legislature  as  were  members  of  the  Fraternity,  soliciting  their 
cooperation  and  friendly  assistance. 

The  annual  election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place.  Brother  B.  F. 
Hunt  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

In  view  of  the  great  outlay  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  purchase  of 
a  lot,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  inquire  in  what  way  the  expenses 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  could  be  reduced. 

Pythagorean  Lodge  No.  21,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  Lodge 
room  at  Seyle's  Hall,  in  consequence  of  some  annoyances  to  which  they 
had  been  subjected,*  petitioned  that  one  of  the  old  buildings  on  the 
lot  should  be  removed  and  fitted  up  for  a  Lodge  room.  The  subject 
was  referred  to  a  committee,  and  was  the  first  step  which  finally  led  to 
the  building  of  the  temporary  Masonic  Hall,  which  was  for  some  time 
used  for  the  meeting  of  several  of  the  city  Lodges. 

Special  Communication  on  the  26th  of  December,  1828.  The  sub- 
ject of  retrenchment  was  brought  before  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the 
committee  to  whom  it  had  been  referred.  It  was  determined  that  the 
expenses  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  lessened,  by  reducing  the 
salaries  of  the  Grand  Treasurer,  Secretary  and  Tiler;  by  dispensing 
with  a  part  of  its  printing,  and  by  abolishing  suppers.  Economy  had 
now  become  the  order  of  the  day,  for  the  Grand  Lodge  was  in  debt, 
and  was  to  meet  installments  on  its  bonds  and  interest  on  its  paper. 
It  was,  however,  soon  relieved  from  these  embarrassments. 

The  Grand  Officers  were  directed  to  sell  or  dispose  of  the  lottery  lately 
granted  by  the  Legislature.     This  I  have  already  said  was  never  done. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  was  celebrated  by  a  procession  and  address, 
but  in  compliance  with  the  spirit  of  economy  there  appears  to  have 
been  no  banquet. 

The  Grand  Master  elect  being  absent  from  the  City,  the  Deputy 
Grand  Master  was  installed  by  Brother  T.  W.  Bacot,  Past  Grand 
Master,  and  then  the  Deputy  installed  the  other  Grand  Officers.  The 
appointment  and  installation  of  the  Subordinate  Officers  were  postponed 
until  the  Grand  Master's  return. 

The  day  was  a  very  inclement  one,  and  the  procession  very  small. 
After  prayer  at  the  Second  Independent  Church,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thayer,  an  address  was  delivered  by  Brother  Wm.  Lance.     This  is 

*  Whatever  these  annoyances  were,  Brother  Seyle,  the  proprietor  of  the  hall, 
was  exculpated  from  any  blame  in  the  premisps. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


2#i 


undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  able  Masonic  addresses  ever  delivered  in 
this  jurisdiction.  As  it  is  now  entirely  inaccessible,  and  out  of  print, 
the  ouly  known  copy  extant  being  that  in  the  archives  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  I  believe  that  I  should  willingly,  were  it  not  for  its  great 
length,  have  offered  it  as  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  literature  of 
Freemasonry,  by  preserving  it  in  this  historical  collection. 


228  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


James   S.    Burges     ^  J^ior  Grand  Deacon, : 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

THE    YEAR    1829. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1829  : 

B.  F.  Hunt,  Grand  Master; 

B.  TV.  Cogdell,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Jas.  EYLAND,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

H.  A.  DeSaussure,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Moses  Holbrook,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Alex.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

H.  Gr.  Street,       )   „    . 

T  n    -n  f  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

John  R.  Bogers,  ) 

Thomas   E.   Carey,  ) 

Samuel  Bowan,  Grand  Marshal ; 
A.  McFeeters,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 
A.  Bailey,         ^ 
J.  C.  Pillans, 

J.C.BUXBAUM,  \&™*.&»™*; 

Joseph  Moss,     J 

John  Boceie,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  3d  of  January,  1829.  The  spirit  of 
economy  which  prevailed  at  the  close  of  the  last  year  was  beginning  to 
evaporate.  The  resolution  adopted  on  the  26th  of  December  last,  to 
dispense  with  suppers  at  the  Quarterly  Communications,  was  recon- 
sidered and  stricken  out.  The  old  custom  of  supping  on  these  occa- 
sions was  revived,  and  the  usage  was  not  again  discontinued  for  many 
subsequent  years. 

It  was  determined,  in  reply  to  the  memorial  of  Lodge  No.  21,  to 
remove  one  of  the  buildings  on  the  lot  to  another  part  in  the  rear,  and 
to  fit  it  up  as  a  temporary  Hall  for  the  use  of  the  city  Lodges  which 
might  desire  to  occupy  it.  The  expense  of  removing  and  fitting  up 
was  estimated  at  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  that  sum  was 
appropriated  for  the  purpose.     Subsequently  one  hundred  and  fifty 


IX  JSUUTH  CAROLINA.  229 

more  were  granted,  and  the  rent  to  the  Lodges  was  fixed  at  tweuty 
dollars  per  year,  and  two  dollars  a  night  for  extra  meetings. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  March,  1829.  The  Grand 
Master  being  present  at  this  Communication,  was  installed  by  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  after  which  he  made  the  appointment  of  the 
Subordinate  Officers,  who  were  duly  iustalled. 

Notice  was  given  that  the  Hall  was  nearly  ready  for  the  receptiou  of 
the  Lodges,  and  it  was  determined  that  when  completed  it  should  be 
dedicated  and  cousecrated  in  Masonic  form. 

Hon.  David  Johnson  resigned  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 
In  his  letter  of  resignation,  he  says:  "I  have  been  uninterruptedly 
associated  with  the  Grand  Lodge  for,  I  think,  more  than  twenty  years, 
and   I  would  not  have  it  understood  that  in  withdrawing  from  it  now 

I  have  abandoned  the  cause  of  Masonry.  My  veneration  for  the 
principles  on  which  it  is  founded  can  never  cease  whilst  reason  retains 
her  place."     He  was  elected  an  honorary  member. 

Masonry  was  not  at  this  time  in  a  very  prosperous  condition  in  the 
jurisdiction.  Of  41  Lodges  on  the  registry,  the  Grand  Treasurer 
reported  that  24  of  them  had  not  been  heard  of  foe  a  period  varying 
from  three  to  ten  years ;  six  had  surrendered  their  warrants,  and  only 

II  had  regularly  made  their  returns  and  paid  their  dues. 

Special  Communication  on  the  5th  of  June,  1829.  The  temporary 
building  having  been  completed,  in  which  it  was  determined  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  should  hereafter  hold  its  meetings  uutil  a  Masonic  Hall 
should  be  constructed,  this  Communication  was  called  for  the  purpose 
of  dedicating  it  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  intended.  The  Grand 
Master  accordingly  dedicated  the  room  in  the  accustomed  form,  and 
several  Masonic  odes  were  suug,  after  which  an  address  was  delivered 
by  the  Grand  Master,  which  unfortunately  has  not  been  preserved. 
The  record  tells  us  that  after  the  dedication  "the  brethren  retired  to 
the  supper  room  and  spent  the  evening  in  harmony  and  good  fellow- 
ship." 

From  that  time  the  Grand  Lodge  and  many  of  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  met  in  the  new  room.  Other  Lodges,  however,  still  continued 
to  hold  their  Communications  at  Scyle's  Hall. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  June,  1829.  The  warrant 
of  Social  Lodge  No.  54,  at  Hamburg,  was  declared  forfeited.  The 
Rules  and  Regulations  had  provided  for  the  establishment  of  a  Masonic 
Library,  and  ninety  dollars  had  been  presented  for  that  purpose, 
which,  at  this  meeting,  was  received  from  Bro.  T.  W.  Bacot,  in  whose 


230  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

hands  it  had  been  deposited.  But  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  plan 
of  the  Library  was  ever  carried  out. 

Quarterly  Cuinmunication  on  the  25th  of  September,  1829.  Ar- 
rangements were  made  for  the  celebration  of  St.  John's  day,  and  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Brown  was  elected  the  Orator. 

Bro.  Thomas  Fell  presented  the  Grand  Lodge  with  a  lamp  and 
reflectors,  to  be  placed  over  the  front  gate  of  the  Hall,  and  received 
the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  therefor. 

There  was  again  a  failure  to  hold  an  Annual  Communication  at 
Columbia.  The  Grand  Lodge,  it  will  be  soon  seen,  had  grown  weary 
of  the  experiment. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  18th  of  December,  1829.  The 
annual  election  of  officers  took  place,  and  Richard  W.  Cogdell  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  as  usual. 

The  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Bro.  B.  F.  Hunt,  Past 
Grand  Master.  The  newly  elected  Grand  Master  then  installed  the 
other  officers. 

A  procession  of  the  Craft  afterwards  moved  to  the  German  Lutheran 
Church,  where,  after  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bachman,  an  address  was 
delivered  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Brown.  This  address,  I  have  been 
informed  by  some»of  the  auditors,  was  by  no  means  of  a  satisfactory 
character.  The  Orator  endeavored  to  show  that  Freemasonry  had 
accomplished  its  mission,  and  that  its  continuance  was  no  longer  neces- 
sary or  expedient.  Much  angry  feeling  was  excited  even  during  its 
delivery,  and  altogether  it  so  displeased  and  disappointed  the  Fraternity 
that,  as  a  token  of  condemnation,  the  Grand  Lodge,  ou  returning  to 
the  Hall,  declined  passing  the  customary  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Orator. 

The  usual  supper  took  place  in  the  evening. 


!X  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  231 


CHAPTEB  XXIII. 
rii E  yeah    L830, 
<  OFFICERS  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1880  : 

Richard  W.  Cogdell,  Grand  Master; 

JAMES  Eyland,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Henry  A.  DeSaussure,  Senior  Grand   Warden; 

William  Lance,  Junior  Grand   Warden  .- 

Moses  Holbrook,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Alex.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

John  R.  Rogers,      )   ™    .     f,       ■,  n 

\-  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

John  J.  Alexander,  ) 

Archibald  Wanless,  )         . 

„  -,,  >  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

Samuel  Berbant,        j 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal; 

A.  McFeeters,  Grand  Pursuivant  ; 

James  Moorhead,  , 

J.  C.  Lozier,  l 

0  ,T  >  Grand  Stewards : 

Solomon  Moses,     [ 

Alex.  Balland,    J 

John  Roche,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  March,  1830.  A  warrant 
was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Cedar  Springs,  in  Abbeville  District, 
to  be  known  as  "  Cedar  Spring  Lodge  No.  59." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  Juue,  1830.  On  the  mo- 
tion of  Bro.  McDonald  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  following  resolu- 
tion :  "  That  no  Lodge,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
shall  confer  the  degree  of  Entered  Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft,  or  Master 
Mason,  on  any  person  whose  letter  has  been  before  a  Lodge  and  with- 
drawn, or  who  has  been  rejected  by  any  Lodge — and  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Secretary  of  each  Lodge  wherein  such  a  case  may  occur,  to 
furnish  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  with  the  name  of  the  per- 
son who  ha?  withdrawn  his  letter,  or  has  been  rejected." 


232  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Dr.  John  B.  Irving  was  elected  Orator  for  the  next  Festival  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist. 

The  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  called  the  attention  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  the  fact  that  many  of  the  country  Lodges,  which  had  heen 
suspended  for  many  years,  were  still  retaining  their  warrants  and  con- 
ferring degrees. 

In  consequence  of  the  local  character  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
was  composed  entirely  of  the  Masters,  Wardens  and  Past  Masters  of 
the  city  Lodges,  the  condition  of  the  country  Lodges  was  little  under- 
stood, and  but  a  loose  sort  of  discipline  was  exercised  over  them.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  however,  on  this  violation  of  law  being  brought  to  its  no- 
tice, resolved  that  the  officers  of  those  Lodges,  which  were  numbered 
as  15,  25,  29,  82,  39,  44  and  46,  should  show  cause,  on  or  before  St. 
John's  day  next,  why  they  should  not  be  expelled  from  Masonry  for 
having  sat  in  Lodge  and  conferred  degrees  after  they  had  been  notified 
of  their  suspension. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  September,  1830.  Ar- 
rangements were  made  for  the  celebration  of  St.  John's  day.  From  a 
report  of  the  committee  we  learn  that  the  buildings  on  the  lot,  exclu- 
sive of  the  Masonic  Hall,  were  at  this  time  yielding  a  rent  of  $752  per 
annum. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  17th  of  December,  1830.  The 
election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place.  James  Eyland  was  elected  Grand 
Master. 

A  communication  was  received  from  Bro.  H.  A.  DeSaussure,  stating 
that  he  had  earnestly,  but  ineffectually,  endeavored  to  procure  an  An- 
nual Communication  at  Columbia.  The  Constitution  adopted  in  1818 
.had,  it  will  be  remembered,  provided  for  one  Communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  city  of  Columbia,  which  was  to  be  held  during  the 
session  of  the  Legislature.  The  evident  intention  was  to  give  the  Lodges 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  country  the  chances  of  a  representation  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  whose  usual  meetings  in  Charleston  they  were  precluded 
from  attending  by  the  great  distance  of  their  residences  from  the  city. 
But  a  reference  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  since  1818  will 
show  that  no  such  contemplated  advantage  was  derived  from  the  arrange- 
ment. It  was  very  seldom  that  any  of  the  Grand  Officers  attended,  and 
for  some  years  past  there  had  been  a  failure  of  the  quorum  of  Lodges 
which  was  necessary  to  authorize  the  transaction  of  business.  It  had,  in 
fact,  proved  to  be  a  failure,  and  it  is  not,  therefore,  surprising  that  on 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  03;; 

the  receipt  of  Bro.  DeSaussure's  letter  a  proposition  should  at  once  have 
been  made  to  rescind  that  part  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  which 
provided  for  a  Communication  in  Columbia.  The  resolution  was  uot,  of 
course  immediately  acted  on,  and  its  further  consideration  was  in  the 
nest  year  indefinitely  postponed,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  never  again  met 
in  Columbia,  and  in  1833  the  law  was  fiually  repealed,  and  the  Co- 
lumbia Communication  abolished. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  as  usual. 

Richard  W.  Cogdell,  late  Grand  Master,  installed  the  Grand  Master 
elect,  who  afterwards  installed  the  other  officers. 

There  was  a  procession  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  prayer  by  Bro.  Fred. 
Dalcho,  and  an  address  by  Dr.  John  B.  Irving. 

After  the  usual  votes  of  thanks,  on  the  return  to  the  Hall,  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  closed. 

Instead  of  a  supper,  the  feast  this  year  was  celebrated  by  a  dinner. 


2H4-  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   XX1Y. 

THE    TEAR    1831. 

Officers  for  the  year  1831 : 

James  Eyland,  Grand  Master ; 

H.  A.  DeSaussure,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

William  Lance,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

John  J.  Alexander,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

John  R.  Rogers,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Alex.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary  ; 

James  S.  Burges,         )  «    .      ~       7  r, 

>  senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
Edward  Southworth,  J 

Archibald  Wanless,   )   r     .     ri       ,  ^ 

7    >  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

SAMUEL  BERBANT,  j 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal; 
A.  McFeeters,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 
George  Irvine,  Grand  Steward ; 
James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  March,  1881.  Dr.  Irving 
declined  acceding  to  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  permit  his 
address  on  St.  John's  day  to  be  published. 

It  was  resolved  that  all  future  resignations  from  the  Grand  Lodge 
should  be  by  letter. 

Since  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Bro.  John  Roche,  the 
Grand  Tiler,  had  died,  aud  the  Grand  Master  now  gave  notice  that  he 
had  appointed  James  Drummoud  to  supply  the  vacancy. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  June.  No  business  of  im- 
portance was  transacted.  Samuel  Berbant  was  installed  as  a  Junior 
Grand  Deacon,  and  James  Drummond  as  Grand  Tiler. 

The  consideration  of  the  proposed  amendment  to  the  constitution, 
to  abolish  the  Annual  Communication  at  Columbia,  was  indefinitely 
postponed. 

Special  Communication  on  the  5th  of  August,  1831.  No  business 
of  any  importance   to  the  history  of  Masonry  was  transacted.     The 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  235 

Grand  Lodge  had  been  convened  to  take  into  consideration  certain 
financial  matters  in  relation  to  Winyah  Lodge  No.  40,  which  were  sub- 
sequently satisfactorily  arranged. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  September,  1831.  The 
Grand  Master  was  requested  to  prepare  a  petition  to  the  Legislature, 
praying  an  extension  of  the  time  for  drawing  the  lottery.  The  original 
grant  had  been  for  three  years,  and  during  that  period  no  advantage 
had  been  taken  of  the  privilege.  The  petition  now  authorized  was 
prepared  and  presented,  and  a  further  time  of  three  years  was  granted. 
This  period,  however,  also  expired,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  again  neg- 
lected to  avail  itself  of  the  advantages  of  the  grant.  The  Masonic 
lottery  was  a  failure. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  celebrating  St.  John's  day,  and  Bro. 
James  W.  Gray  was  elected  the  Orator. 

Again  there  was  no  Communication  at  Columbia,  and  Bro.  DeSaus- 
sure,  in  announcing  the  fact  of  the  failure  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  re- 
marked "that  great  apathy  appears  to  exist  on  the  subject  of  Masonry." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  16th  of  December,  1831.  The 
election  of  Graud  Officers  took  place,  and  Henry  A.  DeSaussure  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  as  usual. 
Bro.  Eyland,  the  late  Grand  Master,  iustalled  the  Grand  Master  elect, 
who,  after  the  delivery  of  a  very  able  address,  then  installed  the  remain- 
ing officers. 

A  procession  then  moved  to  St.  Michael's  Church,  where,  after  prayer 
by  Dr.  Dalcho,  "  an  eloquent  and  truly  Masonic  address  "  was  delivered 
by  Bro.  James  W.  Gray. 

After  the  usual  votes  of  thanks,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed,  and  the 
brethren  celebrated  the  "Grand  Feast"  by  a  supper  in  the  evening 


936  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRV 


CHAPTEK    XXV. 

THE    YEAR    1832. 

Officers  for  the  year  1832 : 

H.  A.  DeSaussure,  Grand  Master  ; 

Wm.  Lance,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

John  J.  Alexander,  Senior  Grand  Warden ; 

Horatio  G.  Street,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  R.  Rogers,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Alex.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

Archibald  Wanless,  )  ^^  Gmnd  Beacons. 

John  Ewan,  3 

John  C.  Pillans,     )   T     .     n       -,  n 

;       y  Junior  Grand  Deacons;  • 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  ) 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal; 

Andrew  McFeeters,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

George  Irvine,     j  Qrand  Stewards; 

Thomas  B.  Swift,  j 

James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March,  1832.  The  finan- 
cial circumstances  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  now  in  a  very  favorable 
condition.  It  was  in  possession  of  a  valuable  lot  which  had  been  fully 
paid  for,  with  a  small  invested  fund,  and  an  estimated  income  of 
$1,736.  It  is  not,  therefore,  surprising  that  the  favorite  idea  was  still 
entertained,  and  that  too  with  some  prospect  of  success,  of  erectiDg  a 
Hall  which  should  be  of  a  durable  character  and  worthy  of  the  insti- 
tution. Accordingly,  at  this  Communication,  a  committee  of  seven 
was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  practicability  of  erecting  a  fit  and 
proper  Masonic  Hall  on  the  lot  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  ascertain 
whether  sufficient  funds  could  be  obtained  by  loan,  issue  of  stock  or 
otherwise,  and  also  to  correspond  with  the  Lodges  and  other  Masonic 
bodies  on  the  subject. 

A  new  warrant  was  granted  to  Lodge  No.  10,  in  place  of  the  old  one, 
which  had  been  lost  or  mislaid. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  June,  1832,  but  no  business 
of  interest  was  transacted. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  237 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  September,  1832.  Abbe- 
ville Lodge  No.  56,  at  Abbeville  C.  H.,  and  St.  Alban's  No  38,  at 
Darlington  C.  H.,  were  declared  extinct,  and  the  Grand  Secretary  was 
directed  to  demand  their  warrants  of  constitution  and  property. 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  dispense  with  the  usual  procession 
on  St.  John's  day,  and  to  have  the  address  delivered  in  the  Lodge 
room.      Dr.  St.  John  Phillips  was  selected  as  the  Orator. 

Lodge  No.  59,  at  Cedar  Spring,  was  permitted  to  remove  to  Abbe- 
ville C.  H. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  14th  of  December,  1832.  The 
annual  election  was  held,  and  H.  A.  DeSaussure  was  reelected  Grand 
Master. 

The  fees  and  contributions  to  the  Grand  Lodge  were,  on  the  motion 
of  Brother  McDonald,  reduced  as  follows :  Arrears  of  members  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  $3  per  annum;  representatives  of  Lodges,  each  $2.50; 
proxies  of  country  Lodges,  $5 ;  and  Lodges  for  each  of  their  members, 
except  their  representatives,  and  such  as  are  members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  50  cents  each.  The  contribution  of  the  various  Lodges  to  the 
charity  fund  was  dispensed  with,  and  ordered  thenceforth  to  be  retained 
by  the  Lodges. 

As  there  had  been  no  alteration  of  any  importance  in  the  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  since  their  adoption  in  1818,  and  as 
experience  had  shown  the  necessity  of  some  amendments,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  what  revisions  were 
required. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  without  any 
public  demonstration,  as  had  been  previously  determined.  There  was 
no  procession.  The  brethren  met  at  five  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The 
Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  Past  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  and  then  the  former  installed  the  other  officers. 

At  the  previous  Quarterly  Communication,  the  subject  of  instructing 
the  Lodges  in  the  work  had  been  under  consideration,  and  a  commit- 
tee had  been  appointed  to  recommend  the  best  method  of  accomplish- 
ing this  object.  On  the  feast  day,  the  committee  suggested  that  a 
Lodge  of  Instruction  should  be  organized,  of  which  the  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Wardens  should  be  the  presiding  officers,  the  members  to 
be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master.  The  subject  was,  however,  laid  on 
the  table. 

An  address  was  then  delivered  by  Brother  St:  John  Phillips,  and  the 
celebration  of  tlie  day  was  concluded  by  a  supper. 


23S  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    XXYI. 

THE    YE  Alt     1833. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1 833  : 

Henry  A.  DeSaussure,  Grand  Master ; 

William  Lance,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

John  J.  Alexander,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 

H.  G.  Street,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

John  R.  Rogers,  Grand  treasurer; 

Alex.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary  ; 

A.  WANLESS,  )     o      •       ri        j   n 

7  \  senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
John  Ewan,  ) 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  )    7     .      n       ,  n 

7  >  Junior.  Grand,  Deacons  ; 
John  Ferguson,       ) 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal; 

A.  McFeeters,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Thomas  B.  Swift,  Grand  Steward ; 

James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  March,  1833.  The  reso- 
lution adopted  at  the  last  Quarterly  Communication,  reducing  the  fees 
and  contributions  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  reconsidered,  and  referred 
to  the  committee  on  the  revision  of  the  by-laws. 

The  resolutions  offered  on  St.  John's  day,  1832,  in  reference  to  a 
Lodge  of  Instruction,  were  taken  up  and  modified  as  follows  :J  That  a 
Lodge  of  Instruction  should  be  organized  for  the  purpose^of  carrying 
into  effect  the  system  of  work  adopted  by  the  Grand|Lodge  in  the  year 
1823,  and  that  the  Grand  Master  should  nominate  seven  members  to 
form  this  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  June,  1833.  The  only 
transaction  worthy  of  record  that  occurred  at  this  Communication,  was 
the  resignation  of  Bro.  H.  G.  Street,  Junior  Grand  Warden,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  intended  removal  from  the  State,  and  the  acceptance  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  resignation.  Fortunately  this  has  not,  in 
later  days,  been  admitted  as  a  precedent,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 


I\  SOITH  CAROLINA,  239 

Carolina  has,  for  many  years,  maintained  the  doctrine  of  Masonic  law, 
that  an  officer,  haviug  been  installed,  cannot  resign  during  his  term  of 
office.  Even  in  this  case,  the  Graud  Lodge  did  not  elect  another  Junior 
Grand  Warden  to  supply  the  vacancy.  During  the  remainder  of  the 
year  the  South  was  occupied,  from  time  to  time,  by  temporary  appoint- 
ments. 

The  committee  on  the  revision  of  the  by-laws  reported  various 
amendments  and  alterations,  which  received  their  first  reading. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  December,  1833.  The 
Grand  Master  announced  his  appointment  of  the  officers  of  the  Lodge 
of  Instruction.  As  this  was  the  first  Lodge  of  Instruction  ever  organ- 
ized in  the  State,  it  may  be  interesting  to  record  the  names  of  the 
persons  appointed.  They  were  as  follows  :  James  Eyland,  W.  Master  ; 
Alex.  McDonald,  Senior  Warden;  Geo.  B.  Eckhard,  Junior  Warden; 
St.  John  Phillips,  Senior  Beacon;  Archibald  Wanless,  J  an  ior .  Deacon  .; 
James  S.  Burges,  Treasurer ;  Edward  Hughes,  Secretary  ;  James 
Drummond,    Titer. 

The  delinquency  of  many  of  the  Lodges  in  making  returns  had 
been  a  constant  subject  of  complaint  with  the  Graud  Treasurer.  At 
length  the  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  endeavor  to  enforce  the  obser- 
vation of  duty  by  a  stringent  resolution,  and  declared  that  on  their 
failure  to  make  their  returns  and  pay  their  dues  by  St.  John's  day  next, 
the  warrants  of  all  delinquent  Lodges  should  be  suspended,  and  on  in- 
formation being  received  of  their  continuing  to  work,  that  a  trusty 
brother  should  be  clothed  with  ample  powers  to  visit  them,  demand 
their  warrants  and  close  their  affairs. 

It  was  determined  that  there  should  be  no  processiou  on  St.  John's 
day,  and  the  Grand  Master  was  requested  to  appoint  some  brother  to 
deliver  an  address  in  the  Lodge  room  on  that  occasion. 

The  second  reading  of  the  revised  by-laws  was  postponed,  and  it 
was  ordered  that  150  copies  should  be  printed  for  distribution  among 
the  Lodges  and  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  13th  of  December,  1833.  The 
Grand  Master  was  authorized  to  issue  a  warrant,  of  constitution  for 
Clinton  Lodge  No.  GO,  at  Marion  Court  House,  ou  the  compliance  of 
the  petitioners  with  certain  formalities  which  had  been  neglected  in 
their  application  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  make  choice  of  Grand  Officers  for 
(he  next  year.     Bro.  II.  A.  DeSaussure  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

Special  Communication  on  the  20th  of  December,  1833.     The  Roles 


240  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

and  Regulations  reported  by  the  committee  on  the  revision  of  the 
by-laws  were  read  and  finally  adopted  for  the  government  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  the  Craft  in  the  jurisdiction,  in  the  place  of  the 
code  which  had  been  adopted  in  the  year  1818. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  this  year  in 
the  simplest  manuer.  There  was  no  procession  and  no  banquet.  The 
brethren  met  at  night,  and  the  Grand  Master  elect,  having  been 
installed  by  Bro.  R.  W.  Cogdell,  Past  Grand  Master,  then  installed  the 
other  officers. 

Bro.  A.  McDonald,  who  had  been  elected  Corresponding  Grand 
Secretary,  having  refused  to  serve,  an  election  was  held  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  and  Bro.  W.  B.  Foster  was  chosen. 

That  distinguished  Mason  and  Masonic  writer,  the  Rev.  Thaddeus 
M.  Harris,*  of  Massachusetts,  being  at  this  time  in  the  city,  was 
invited  to  attend  the  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  being 
compelled  to  decline,  he  sent  a  letter  expressing  his  regret,  and  tender- 
ing to  the  officers  and  members  "  the  cordialities  of  an  old  and  strongly 
attached  adherent  to  the  institution." 

The  Grand  Master  delivered  the  address,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
closed. 


*  He  is  the  author  of  several  admirable  Masonic  addresses,  and  a  learned 
Dissertation  on  the  Tessera  Hospitalis  of  the  Ancient  Romans,  which  were  pub- 
lished at  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  1801,  under  the  following  title:  "Discourses 
delivered  on  public  occasions,  illustrating  the  Principles,  displaying  the  tendency, 
and  vindicating  the  design  of  Freemasonry.  By  Thaddeus  Mason  Harris."  He 
was  at  one  time  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Chapter  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  241 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

THE   YEAR   1834. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1834 : 

Henry  A.  DeSaussure,  Grand  Master ; 

John  J.  Alexander,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Archibald  McFeeters,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Samuel  Seyle,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  li.  Rogers,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Wm.  B.  Foster,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

Archibald    Wanless,  )         . 

T  T-,  >  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

John   Lwan,  j 

John    Ferguson,  )         . 

m  i>   o  r  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

Thomas  B.  Swift,  j 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal; 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

A.  C.  Dibble,         ) 

T  o    u  r  Grand  Stewards ; 

James  S.  Burges,  j  ' 

James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  March,  1834.  A  commit- 
tee was  appointed  on  the  state  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  with  power 
to  make  such  arrangements  in  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  they  might 
deem  most  conducive  to  its  interests  and  the  welfare  of  the  Craft.  The 
delinquencies  of  the  Lodges  were  now  beginning  seriously  to  affect  the 
revenues  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Order. 

An  equitable  decision  was  made  in  relation  to  the  funds  of  dormant 
Lodg'.s  which  might  afterwards  be  revived.  In  1811,  Solomon's  Lodge 
No.  1  became  extinct  by  the  death  or  loss  of  all  its  members  except 
one.  The  survivor,  in  surrendering  the  warrant  and  jewels  of  the 
Lodsre,  delivered  up  to  the  Grand  Treasurer  (he  sum  of  $96  94,  which 
had  been  the  property  of  the  Lodge.  After  the  revival  of  the  Lodge, 
it  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  to  refund  the  money.  The  Grand  Lodge 
at  this  meeting  decided  that  the  Lodge  was  justly  entitled  to  it,  and  or- 
dered it  to  be  returned. 
16 


242  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  June,  1834.  No  business 
of  any  interest  was  transacted. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  September,  1834.  About 
this  tiiiif  that  scourge  of  nations,  the  Asiatic  cholera,  was  threatening 
to  oppress  our  land  with  its  pestiferous  influences,  and  all  n  en  were 
making  preparations  to  provide  against  the  wretchedness  and  e\il  that 
it  would  bring  in  its  train.  Communities  were  erecting  hospitals  for  the 
reception  of  the  poor  and  the  stranger,  and  active  charity  was  ready  to 
extend  its  helping  hind  to  the  destitute.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  not 
unmindful  of  its  duty  on  this  occasion,  and  on  the  suggestion  of  Bro. 
C.  M.  Furman,  the  Committee  of  Charity  were  au  horized  to  draw  on 
the  Grand  Treasurer  for  one  hundred  dollars,  to  be  retained  by  the 
Chairman  for  immediate  use  in  the  event  of  the  ;  ppearance  of  cholera 
in  *  harleston. 

It  was  defernrned  to  dispense  with  the  procession  oil  St.  John's  day, 
and  the  Grand  Master  was  requested  to  appoint  some  brother  to  deliver 
an  address  in  the  Lodge  room. 

Special  Communication  on  the  24th  of  November,  1834.  The  meet- 
ing was  called  to  consider  a  proposition  from  Mr.  Vanderlyn,  the  cele- 
brated historical  painter,  who  was  desirous  of  leasing  a  part  of  the  lot 
for  the  erection  of  a  building  in  which  to  exhibit  a  panorama.  Terms, 
however,  were  nut  agreed  upon,  and  the  lot  was  not  leased. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1 9th  of  December,  1834.  A  com- 
pany had  been  organized  in  the  city  of  Cha'.Ieston  to  erect  a  new  thea- 
tre, and  being  desirous  of  obtaining  the  lot  of  tie  Grand  Lodge  as  an 
appr  >priate  site  for  their  edifice,  a  communication  was  received  from 
K.  YYitherspoon,  in  bihalf  of  the  company,  inquiring  what  was  ;he 
''lowest  cash  price"  which  the  Grand  Lodge  would  demand  for  it. 
The  subject  was  refeired  to  a  special  committee  of  nine  to  report 
whether,  in  their  opinion,  the  lot  should  b:  sold,  and  on  what  terms. 

Thomas  Wright  Bacot,  Past  Grand  Master,  having  died  since  the  last 
Quarterly  Communication,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  pre- 
amble and  resolutions  expressive  of  the  deep  regret  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  annual  election  of  Grand  Officers  to^k  place,  and  H.  A.  DeSaus- 
sure  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

Special  Communication  on  the  26th  of  December,  1834.  The  com- 
mittee to  whom  the  offer  of  the  Theatre  Company  for  the  purchase  of 
the  lot  had  been  referred,  repo'ted  that  although  the  lot  was  in  an  ad- 
vantageous situation  for  a  spacious  Masonic  Hall,  yet  there  was  no 
proLability  that  the  funds  could  be  realized  to  authorize  the  commence- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


243 


merit  of  a  building  for  a  long  course  of  yours,  while  the  other  resource, 
by  sale  of  the  lottery,  had  utterly  faileJ,  as  the  -rant  expired  by 
law  on  the  20th  of  December,  1834.  They,  therefore,  recommended 
that  the  lot  be  sold  for  twelve  thousand  five  hundred  d  .liars,  and  they 
expressed  the  opinion  that  for  this  money  a  proper  building  might  be 
purchased  and  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and" other  Ma- 
son'c  bodies. 

The  report  was  adopted,  and  the  committee  were  authorized  to  eff?ct 
the  sale  on  these  terms. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  according  to 
the  previous  arrangement.  There  wa<  no  precession,  but  the  officers 
were  installed.  The  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Bro  Geo.  B. 
Eckhard,  Past  Senior  Grand  Warden,  and  the  former  then  installed  the 
other  officers. 

An  address  was  delivered  by  Bro.  Win.  II.  Inglcsby,  Past  Master  of 
Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1. 

Ke.^ol  lions  expressive  of  the  deep  regret  of  the  Grand  L-dgc  for  the 
death  of  Bro.  Thomas  W.  Bacot,  Past  Gran  i  Master,  wore  then°adopted. 

Bro.  Bacot  had  be.n  the  first  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
after  the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  in  1817.  Speaking  of  this 
uuion,  which  was  the  beginning  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  of  the  char- 
acter  of  the  deceased,  the  obituary  says  : 

"Under  this  new  and  felicitous  Institution  of  Masonic  government, 
our  deceased  Grand  Master  presided  in  the  East  lor  ma;  y  years.  His 
retirement  from  this  honorable  and  august  post,  for  which,  in  every  re- 
spect, he  was  so  conspicuously  qualified,  was  followed  by  the  lasting 
r-gr  t  of  the  Craft.  In  resigning,  however,  the  functions  of  that  most 
worshipful  office,  he  uever  contemplated  an  abatement  of  his  ardour,  or 
a  relaxation  of  his  endeavors,  in  the  beneficent  cause  he  had  so  long 
served  While  health  enabled  a  .d  permitted  him  to  employ  in  his 
economy  and  division  of  time,  a  portio  .  of  it  in  consulting  and  ad- 
vancing the  good  fortunes  and  temporal  bkssinj»s  0f  tiie  Fraternity,  he 
was  always  prep  .red  with  a  joyful  alacrity  to  animate,  cheer  and  instruct 
us  by  his  presence;  his  scientific  and  enlightened  erudition  in  the  Cer- 
e  . i.onies,  Mysteries,  and  all  the  genuine  and  ancient  Landmarks,  trans- 
mitted to  posterity,  through  successive  generations,  from  the  remotest 
age  or  the  primitive  epoch  of  Masonry." 

The  Grand    Lodge   was  ordered   to  be  clothed   in   mourning  for  six 
months.     The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed. 

The  Craft  concluded  the  celebration  of  the  day  by  a  supper. 


244  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTEK    XXYIIL 

THE    YEAR    1835. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1835 : 

H.  A.  DeSaussure,  Grand  Master  ; 

C.  M.  FURMAN,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 

Jas.  S.  BURGES,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 

Wm.  S.  KlNG,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

JOHN  R.  ROGERS,  Grand  Treasurer  ; 

Wm.  B.  Foster,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Edward  Hughes,  Recording  Grand  Secretary  ; 

A.  Wanless,  )   c     .      ~        ,  r. 

_  >  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

John  Ewan,  J 

Tho.  B.  Swift,  )   7     .     „       7  ,-, 

_  >  Junior  (xr and  Deacons  ; 

James  Moorhead,     3 

Samuel  Rowan,  Grand  Marshal ; 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Thomas  A.  Hayden,  Grand  Steward; 

James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Comtnumcation  on  the  27th  of  March,  1835.  The  com- 
mittee on  the  sale  of  the  lot  had  made  good  progress,  and  secured 
its  purchase,  by  the  Theatre  company,  at  the  price  of  twelve  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars.  But  a  difficulty  in  the  delivery  had  occurred 
in  the  fact  that  the  tenant  of  one  of  the  houses  on  the  lot,  whose 
lease  did  not  expire  until  the  5th  of  November,  1836,  had  refused 
to  vacate  the  premises  unless  the  Grand  Lodge  would  reimburse 
him  for  his  expenditures  and  the  loss  he  might  sustain  in  moving. 
This  difficulty  was  at  length,  however,  removed  by  the  Theatre  com- 
pany consenting  to  take  the  lot,  with  the  incumbrance  of  this  unex- 
pired lease,  on  the  Grand  Lodge's  consenting  to  an  abatement  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  the  price,  so  that  in  July  the  arrangement 
was  finally  concluded,  and  the  lot  sold  for  twelve  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars. 

As  the  Grand  Lodge  would,  by  this  contemplated  sale,  be  soon  with- 
out a  place  in  which  to  hold  its  Communications,  and  several  of  the 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  245 

Subordinate  Lodges  would  be  subjected  to  the  same  inconvenience,  it 
became  necessary  to  make  some  future  provision.     The  west  eud  of 
the  Market  terminated,  at  that  time,  abruptly  on  Meeting  street,  and 
this  western   termination  would,  naturally,  have  been  improved  by  the 
erection,  at  the  end  of  the  Market,  of  a  building  which,  by  its  archi- 
tectural details,  might  become  an  ornament  to  the  city.     The  land  was 
the  propeyty  of  the  city,  granted  to  it  many  years  before  by  Gen.  C.  C. 
Pinckney,  as  a  place  on  which  to  erect  and  forever  hold  a  Town  Mar- 
ket.    The  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  directed  to  this  as  au 
appropriate  site  on  which  to  erect  a  Masonic  Hall,  provided  the  consent 
of  the  City  Council  could  be  obtained.     Its  advantages  were,  that  it  was 
a  central  situation,   the  erection  of  a  Hall  at  that  place  would  be  a 
handsome  ornament  to  the  city,  and  the  cost  of  the  buildings  would  be 
all  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  incur,  which 
would,  of  course,  materially  diminish  the  amount  of  funds  necessary  to 
be  raised.     The  Grand  Master  was,  therefore,  directed  to  address  a  let- 
ter to  the  City  Council,  enquiring  whether  that  body  would  grant  per- 
mission for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  cause  a  building,  suitable  for  a  Masonic 
Hall,  to  be  erected  on  the  vacant  space  at  the  west  end  of  the  Market 
which  bu.lding  was  to  be  constructed  so  as  to  serve  for  a  Market  in  the 
basement,  and  a  Ball  room  and  Masonic  Hall  on  the  first  and  second 
floors. 

The  special  committee  on  the  subject  were  also  directed  to  procure  a 
plan  and  obtain  estimates  of  such  a  building. 

Special  Communication  c.n  the  22d  of  May,  1835,  for  the  further 
cooperation  of  the  proposition  for  the  sale  and  purchase  of  the  lot 
The  Grand  Master  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that  he  had  addressed  a 
letter  to  the  City  Council,  enquiring  whether  they  would  grant  per- 
mission for  the  erection  of  a  hall  on  the  vacant  space  at  the  west  end 
of  the  Market,  and  that  council  desired  to  be  furnished  with  a  plan  of 
the  building  intended  to  be  erected. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  June,  1835.  The  sale  of 
the  lot  still  occupied  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  the  exclusion 
ot  all  other  business,  except  the  quarterly  report  of  the  Grand  Trea- 
surer.    This  showed  a  balance  of  only  8101  51  in  hand. 

Special  Communication  on  the  13th  of  July,  1835.  The  Grand 
Master  announced  that  the  sale  of  the  lot  had  been  concluded  for 
twelve  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  the  titles  executed,  and 
the  money  received  and  deposited  by  the  Grand  Treasurer  in  the  Bank 
of  the  State.     The  Grand  Master  also  stated,  that  an  arrangement  had 


246  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

been  made  by  winch  the  Gr.  nd  L  dgc  would  be  permitted  to  hold  its 
meetings  in  the  Grand  Lodge  mom,  fee  of  charge,  until  ( therwise 
notified  by  the  purchasers  of  the  h>t,  to  whom  the  rent  of  the  room  by 
Subordinate  Lodges  was  thereafter  to  be  pnid. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  September,  1835.  The 
report  of  the  Grai.d  Treasurer  showed  that  the  sum  of  $12,106  88 
was  in  his  hands  at  the  disposal  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand 
Treasurer  was  directed  to  iuvest  the  purchase  money  of  the  lot  in  city 
five  per  ce*'t.  stock. 

The  building  comn  ittec  reported  that  they  had  engaged  Mr.  Hyde, 
one  of  the  first  architects  in  the  city,  to  prepare  a  plan  of  a  Masonic 
Hall. 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  dispense  with  a  procession  on  St. 
John's  day,  but  to  have  a  banquet.  No  arrangements  were  made  for 
the  el  ction  «»f  an  Orator. 

Brother  James  Eyland,  Past  Grand  Master,  having  died  since  tho 
last  Communication,  obituary  resolutions  in  his  honor  were  adopted, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  room  was  ordered  to  be  dresseJ  in  the  u^ual 
Masonic  mourning  until  St.  John's  day. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1 8th  of  December,  1835.  The 
annual  election  of  Grand  0«fije:s  took  place,  when  John  J.  Alexander 
Was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  returned  to  Brother  H  A. 
DeSaussure,  Grand  Ma.-ter,  "for  the  faithful  aud  nieruorious'serviees 
performed  by  him  for  the  last  four  years." 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  on  Monday, 
28th  of  December,  1835.  Brother  DeSaussure,  Past  Grand  Master, 
installed  the  Grand  Master  elect,  and  the  latter  then  installed  the  other 
officers.  Thjre  was  no  procession  nor  address,  but  the  Grand  Lodge 
concluded  the  celebration  of  the  day  with  a  banquet. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  £47 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE   YEAR    1836. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  (he  year  1836: 

John  J   Alexander,  Grant?  Matter; 

Wm.  S   Kino,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

James  Moouhead,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

WTM.  B.  Fo  ter,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  II.   KoOERS,   Grand  Treasurer; 

J«'HN  W.  Bruen,   Correspond in;/  Grand  Serrefary ; 

Edward  HUGHES,  Recording  Grand  Secretary; 

A.  Wanless,    )   „    .      ~       j  _ 

t  ^    »»  \  •Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

John  C.  Hotf,  ) 

Andrew  .McFeeters,  )   r    .      ~       7  ~ 

m  _,    „  >  Junior  Grand  Beacons; 

Thomas  B.  Swift,      j 

Solomon  Moses,  Grand  Marsha/; 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

Amity  Bailey,  Grand  Steward; 

James  Drummond,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  March,  1836.  On  the 
^application  of  Orange  Lodge  No.  14,  a  dispetisation  was  granted,  per- 
mitting that  Lodge  to  meet  quarterly  instead  of  monthly. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  June,  1836.  A  commu- 
nication was  received  from  Brother  W.  K.  liarvey,  'late  Secretary  of 
Columbia  Lodge  No.  39,  giving  information  of  the  extinction  of  that 
Lodge,  and  of  the  property  having  been  sold  by  the  Master  in  Equity; 
and  also  presenting  a  claim  for  services  as  Secretary,  amounting  to 
§150;  and  a  statement  Irom  the  Master  in  Equity,  showing  a  balance 
remaining  in  his  hands  of  §834  i>7. 

It  was  ordered  that  Brother  Harvoy  be  paid  his  claim  on  his  pro- 
ducing a  certificate  from  the  late  Master  of  the  amount  due  him  ;  and 
that  the  Grand  Treasurer  apply  to  the  Commissioner  in  Equity  of  Hich- 
land  District  for  the  amount  in  histhands.  It  may  be  added,  that  after 
the  necessary  formalities  the  amount  was  obtained  and  paid  over  into 
the  treasury  of  the  Graud  Lodge. 


248  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  committee  appointed  to  procure  plans  and  estimates  for  a  Hall, 
and  to  select  an  eligible  site,  was  dissolved,  and  a  new  one  appointed 
with  the  same  powers. 

Special  Communication  on  the  1st  of  August,  1835.  During  the 
recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  plans  and  specifications  of  the  Hall  had 
been  obtained  from  Mr.  Hyde,  the  architect,  and  had  been  laid  before 
the  City  Council.  That  body  had  suggested  some  alteration  in  the 
foundation  and  the  columns  of  the  basement  story,  but  consented  to 
give  the  use  of  the  site  at  the  west  end  of  the  market  on  the  following 
conditions : 

"  1st.  That  the  building  shall  be  commenced  within  one  year  from 
this  date,  and  be  carried  on  with  all  reasonable  despatch ;  if  not  com- 
pleted within  twelve  months  from  the  laying  of  the  foundations,  the 
Grand  Lodge  shall  forfeit  to  the  City  Council  five  dollars  per  day  until 
the  building  shall  be  finished. 

"  2d.  That  the  lower  part  of  the  building  under  the  arches  be  for- 
ever kept  open  as  a  market  place,  or  applied  to  such  purposes  as  the 
City  Council  may  direct,  free  of  all  charge  to  Council  or  their  assigns. 

"3d.  That  the  Hall  be  so  constructed  as  to  be  capable  of  accommo- 
dating large  assemblies  of  the  citizens,  and  be  open  free  of  charge  for 
all  general  meetings  of  the  citizens  which  may  be  called  by  an  order  of 
the  lntendant,  and  held  during  the  day  time. 

"4th.  That  the  fee  simple  of  the  land  shall  continue  vested  in  Council, 
but  the  Grand  Lodge  and  their  assigns  be  warranted  in  the  use  and 
enjoyment  of  the  rents  and  profits  to  accrue  and  be  derived  from  the 
buildings  forever,  saving  the  exceptions  herein  contained,  free  from  all 
rent,  charges  and  assessments  on  the  part  of  the  City  Council. 

"5th.  If  by  any  casualty  the  building  should  be  destroyed,  it  must 
be  rebuilt  within  five  years  from  the  time  of  such  accident,  or  the 
Grand  Lodge  shall  forfeit  all  right  to  rebuild." 

These  conditions  were  accepted,  with  the  exception  of  the  proposi- 
tion to  modify  the  architectural  details  of  the  basement,  and,  on  appli- 
cation to  the  City  Council,  subsequently,  the  matter  was  satisfactorily 
arranged.  The  plans  were  submitted  at  this  Communication  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  the  special  committee  appointed  at  the  last  Commu- 
nication was  discharged,  and  a  building  committee  appointed,  of  which 
Brother  Alexander  McDonald  was  chairman.  This  committee  was 
directed  to  advertise  for  contracts  for  the  brick  and  wood  work,  and 
Mr.  Hyde  was  retained  as  the  architect.  The  Fraternity  was  now 
nearer  to  the  prospect  of  securing  a  hall  than  it  had  ever  been.     We  will 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  249 

hereafter  see  how  this  pleasing  prospect  was  destined,  in  a  short  tirae? 
to  terminate  in  failure  and  disappointment. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  September,  1836.  The 
Building  Committee  announced  that  it  had  been  estimated  by  the  archi- 
t?ct,  from  offers  received  from  several  mechanics,  that  the  building 
could  be  completed  for  twenty  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy  dol- 
lars. The  Committee  were  authorized  to  accept  contracts  for  the  build- 
ing, not  to  exceed  twenty-one  thousand  dollars.  The  Committee  were 
also  directed  to  request  from  the  Subordinate  Lodges  and  Chapters  the 
loan  of  such  funds  as  they  may  be  disposed  to  afford  towards  the  build- 
ing. 

It  was  resolved  to  dispense  with  the  procession  and  address  on  St. 
John's  day,  and  to  have  a  supper. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  16th  of  December,  lc36.  The 
deed  of  covenant  between  the  City  Council  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
ordered  to  be  submitted  to  the  Solicitor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  fur  exam- 
ination. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Bro.  Joel  11.  Poinsett  was  elected 
Grand  Master.  During  the  year  the  Recording  Grand  Secretary,  Bro. 
Edward  Hughes,  who  had  filled  the  office  for  seventeen  years,  had  re- 
moved from  the  State,  and  the  duties  had  been  temporarily  performed  by 
Bro.  John  H.  Honour.  At  the  annual  election  the  latter  was  chosen 
Grand  Secretary,  in  the  place  of  Bro.  Hughes. 

The  Grand  Lodge  finding  it  necessary  to  remove  from  the  building 
which  it  then  occupied  as  a  Grand  Lodge  room,  appointed  a  committee 
to  make  arrangements  for  its  future  meetings  in  Seyle's  Hall,  in  King- 
street,  between  Market  and  Hasell  streets.  The  Recording  Grand 
Secretary  was  directed  to  inform  the  Masters  of  the  Lodges  which  had 
been  meeting  in  the  Grand  Lodge  room  of  the  intended  removal. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  by  a  banquet 
at  night,  without  cither  procession  or  address.  Ttie  Grand  Lodge  met 
on  this  occasion  in  Seyle's  Hall. 

Bro.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  Grand  Master  elect,  having  communicated  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  that  he  declined  serving  in  that  office,  it  was  resolved 
that  the  election  of  Grand  Master  be  postponed  until  the  Quarterly 
Communication  in  March.  The  acting  Grand  Master,  Bro.  J.  J.  Alex- 
ander, then  proceeded  to  install  the  other  officers. 

Notice  was  given  by  the  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  that 
they  had  made  arrangements  with  Bro.  iScyle  for  the  future  meetings 
of  the  Grand  Lodsre  in  his  hall. 


250  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Bro*  Frederick  Dalcho  having;  died  previous  to  the  last  Quarterly 
Communication,  a  committee  had  been  appointed  to  draft  resolutions 
expressive  of  the  feelings  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  That  committee,  at 
this  Communication,  reported  a  suitable  preamble  and  several  resolu- 
tions, expressive  of  the  respect  and  regret  of  the  Graud  Lodge,  which 
were,  of  course,  unanimously  adopted. 

As  Dr.  Dalcho,  from  the  commencement  of  his  Masonic  career  to 
within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  had  occupied  a  more  prominent  posi- 
sition  than  any  other  person  it)  the  affairs  of  the  Craft  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion, and  as  his  name  has  become  indissolubly  connected  with  the  his- 
tory of  Masonry  in  the  State,  a  brief  memoir  will  be,  I  presume,  neither 
inappropriate  nor  unacceptable  in  this  place. 

Mmoir  of   Rev.   Fred.   Dalcho,   M.D. 

Of  the  early  years  of  the  lift-  of  Dr  Dalcho,  who  has  played  so  im- 
portant a  part  in  the  Masonic  history  of  this  country,  but  little  is  known. 
His  f aher  was  a  Prussian,  but  having  removed  :o  London,  the  subject 
of  this  memoir  was  bom  in  that  city  in  the  year  17(59.  While  still  a 
youth,  he  was  sent  b)  his  father  to  the  city  of  Raltimore,  Maryland,  to 
which  place  One  of  his  uncles  had  previously  e  uigrated.  Here,  under 
the  guardianship  of  that  rel  the,  he  studied  the  profession  of  medi- 
cine; and,  having  received  his  doctorate,  he  entered  the  army  as  a  sur- 
geon, and  was  appointed  to  the  military  post  in  the  harbor  of  Charles- 
ton, where  he  remained  until  the  year  1790,  when,  that  portion  of  the 
troops  to  which  he  had  been  attached,  being  disbanded  by  the  Govern- 
ment, he  was  engaged  by  the  firm  of  McClure  &  Co.,  as  surgeon  of  one 
of  their  ships  trading  to  Africa.  He  made.  I  thiik,  however,  not  more 
than  one  or  two  voyages,  when  he  left  that  employment,  and,  in  1800, 
established  himself  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  in  partnership  with  Dr. 
Isaac  Auld  (who  subsequently  united  with  him  in  much  of  his  Ma- 
sonic career),  as  a  practicing  physician.  He  continued  the  practice  of 
his  profession  with  general  success  for  some  years,  and  his  devotion  to 
its  studies  is  commemorated  by  several  able  articles,  which  he  published 
in  the  Recorder  and  other  medical  periodicals  of  the  times.  He  was 
also  instrumental,  during  this  period,  in  the  establishment  of  a  Botanic 
Society  and  garden  in  the  city  of  his  adoption,  and,  altogether,  exhib- 
ited that  spirit  of  enterprise  and  energy  which  distinguished  him  in  his 
previous  and  subsequent  pursuits  of  life.  At  length,  abandoning  his 
profession,  whether  for  want  of  sufficient  eucouragement,  or  for  what- 
ever other  cause  I  know  not,  he  became  connected,  as  Editor,  in  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  251 

year  1807,  with  the  Courier,  the  oldest  now  existing  pappr  in  Char'es- 
ton.  Finally,  under  ;i  sense  of  religious  duty,  he  determined  to  devote 
himself  to  the  especial  service  of  the  church,  and  commenced  the  study 
of  divinity.  On  the  12th  February,  1814,  he  was  ordained  a  Peacou 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  by  Bishop  Dehon,  of  South  Caro- 
lina; ;  nd  a  Priest,  ou  the  12th  June,  1818,  by  Bishop  White,  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Shortly  after  his  induction  into  orders,  having  first  served  in  two 
other  parishes,  he  received  the  appoint  iient  of  Assistant  Minister  of 
St.  Michael's  Church,  in  the  city  of  Chariest  n;  an  honorable  and  use- 
ful position,  which  he  occupied  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 
faction to  his  flock  until  the  day  of  his  death.  During  the  last  two 
years  of  his  life,  however,  Dr.  Dal-lio  had  been  compelled,  by  the  in- 
firmities of  disease,  to  withdraw  from  active  participation  in  the  duties 
of  his  calling;  but,  through  the  kindness  and  respect  of  the  congrega- 
tion, his  relative  position  to  rhem  was  not  altered. 

On  Thursday,  the  24th  of  November,  18o6,  he  died  at  his  residence 
in  Meeting  street,  Charleston,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age.  One  who 
app-ars  to  have  known  him  will,  and  to  whom  the  melancholy  task  of 
writing  his  obituary  was  entrusted,  says  of  him,  that  "he  died  in  the 
comfortable  possession  of  a  religious  holy  hope,  and  in  perfect  charity 
with  all  the  world." 

lie  was  buried  on  the  south  side  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  and  the 
following  inscription,  from  the  pen  of  his  diocesan,  Bishop  Bowen,  was 
placed  i  ear  the  head  of  his  grave  : 

Tins  Stone 

Is  erected  by  the  Vestry  of  St.  Michael's  Church 

iu  memory 

of 

THE  REV.  FREDERICK  DALCHO,  M.D, 

who, 
having  served  this  Church  as  Assistant  Minister 

for  17  years, 

Died  on  the  24th  day  of  November,  A.D.,  1836, 

in  the  67th  year  of  his  age, 

and  was  buried  near  this  place. 

Fidelity,  Industry,  and  Prudence, 

were  characteristics  of  his  ministry. 


252  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

He  loved  the  Church,  delighted  to  the  last  in  its  service,  and  found  in 

death  the  solace  and  support  of  the  faith,  which,  with  an  exemplary 

consistency,  he  had  practiced. 

Steadfast  and  unshaken 

in  his  own  peculiar  convictions  and  actions, 

as  a  member  and  minister  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 

he  lived  and  died  "in  perfect  charity 

with  all  men." 

Dr.  Dalcho's  labors  in  the  Church  were  not  confiued  to  the  discharge 
simply  of  his  pastoral  duties.  The  "Gospel  Messenger,"  which,  for 
many  years,  was  the  Episcopal  organ  of  South  Carolina,  was  indebted 
to  him  for  its  projection  ;  and  for  a  long  time  he  was,  with  entire  dis- 
interestedness, its  principal  conductor.  He  was  also  the  author  of  two 
well-written  but  unpretending  works,  namely:  "Evidences  of  the 
Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ,"  and  "The  Evidence  from  Prophecy  for  the 
Truth  of  Chrisiianilty  and  the  Divinity  of  Christ,"  besides  many 
sermons  and  essays,  some  of  the  latter  being  quite  elaborate,  which 
were  printed  in  the  "  Grospel  Messenger."  But  his  principal  contribu- 
tion to  the  literature  of  his  sacred  calling  is  an  octavo  volume,  entitled, 
"An  Historical  Account  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Chu  ch  in  South 
Carolina,"  which  still  continues  to  be  referred  to  as  a  work  of  standard 
authority  on  subjects  connected  with  the  religious  history  of  the  times 
and  places  which  it  embraces. 

The  Masonic  career  of  Dr.  Dalcho  closely  connects  him  with  the 
history  of  York  Masonry  iu  South  Carolina,  and  with  that  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  throughout  the  United  States. 

He  was  initiated  at  the  time  that  the  jurisdiction  of  South  Carolina 
was  divided  by  the  existence  and  the  dissensions  of  two  Grand 
Lodges,  the  one  deriving  its  authority  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Free  aud  Accepted  Masons  of  England,  and  the  other  from  the  spuri- 
ous or  Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masous.  In  what  Lodge,  or  at 
what  precise  time,  he  was  admitted  into  the  Order,  I  am  unable  to  say, 
but  his  own  declaration  informs  us  that  he  was  initiated  in  a  York  or 
Athol  Lodge.  His  constant  desire  appears,  however,  to  have  been  to 
unite  these  discordant  elements,  and  to  uproot  the  evil  spirit  of  Ma- 
sonic rivalry  and  contention,  which  at  that  time  prevailed;  a  wish 
which  was  happily  gratified,  at  length,  by  the  union  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  of  South  Carolina  in  1817,  a  consummation  to  which  he  himself 
greatly  contributed. 

In   1801,  Dr.  Dalcho  received  the  ultimate    degree  of  the  Thirty- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  253 

Third  or  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted 
Rite,  from  Col.  John  Mitchell,  the  successor  of  13.  M.  Spitzcr;  and  on 
the  31st  of  May,  1801,  he  became  instrumental  in  the  establishment, 
at  Charleston,  of  the  Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  of 
the  United  States,  of  which  body  he  was  appointed  Grand  Secretary, 
and  afterwards  Grand  Commander,  which  latter  position  he  occupied 
until  a  short  time  before  his  death,  wheu  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Dr.  Auld. 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1801,  he  delivered  an  Oration  before  the 
Sublime  Grand  Lodge  in  Charleston.  This,  and  another,  delivered  on 
the  21st  of  March,  1803,  before  the  same  body,  accompanied  by  a 
learned  historical  appendix,  were  published  in  the  latter  year,  under 
the  general  name  of  "  Dalcho's  Orations."  The  work  was  soon  after 
republished  in  Dublin,  and  McCosh  says  that  there  were  other  editions 
issued  iii  Europe,  which,  however,  I  have  never  seen.  The  Oration  of 
1803,  and  the  appendix,  furnish  the  best  information  which  then, 
and,  for  many  years  afterwards,  was  accessible  to  the  Craft  in  relation 
to  the  history  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Kite  in  this  country. 

In  1807,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  of 
South  Carolina,  he  published  an  "  Ahiman  Rezon,"  which  was  adopted 
as  the  code  for  the  government  of  the  Lodges  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  that  body. 

In  1808,  he  was  elected  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  and  from  that  time  directed 
the  influences  of  his  high  position  to  the  reconciliation  of  the  Masonio 
difficulties  in  South  Carolina. 

In  1817,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  that 
of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  became  united  under  the 
name  of  "  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Caro- 
lina," and  at  the  first  annual  Communication  Brother  Dalcho  was 
elected  Grand  Chaplain.  The  duties  of  this  office  he  faithfully  per- 
formed, and  for  many  years  delivered  a  public  address  or  sermon  on  the 
Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist. 

In  1821,  he  was  requested  to  prepare  a  second  edition  of  the 
"Ahiman  Bezon,"  which  was  published  the  following  yaar,  enriched 
with  many  useful  notes,  although  unfortunately  burthened  with  several 
incorrect  ones.  This  work  was  at  once  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  as 
its  Book  of  Constitutions,  and  so  continued  until  the  publication  of 
"Mackey's  Ahiman  Rezon,  or  Book  of  Constitutions,"  in  1852,  which 
was  then  substituted  for  it.     Much,  however,  of  the  material,  in  fact, 


254  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

all  that  was  useful  in  Dalcho's  book,  was  incorporated  into  the  latter 
work,  with  a  different  arrangement,  and  many  additions. 

In  18-3,  Brother  Dalcho  became  involved  in  an  unpleasant  contro- 
versy with  some  of  his  Masonic  associates,  in  consequence  of  difficulties 
and  dissensions  which,  at  that  time,  existed  in  the  Ancient  and  Ac- 
cepted Ititc;  and  his  feeling;*  were  so  wounded  by  the  unniasonic  spirit 
which  seemed  to  actuite  hi*  antagonists  and  former  friends,  that  he 
resigned  the  office  of  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  Grand 
Commander  of  the  Supreme  Council,  and  retired  for  the  remainder 
of  his  lile  from  all  participation  in  the  active  duties  of  Masonry. 

As  a  man,  Dr.  Dalcho  was  characterized  by  great  cheerfulness  of 
disposition  and  suavity  of  manners.  He  was  kind,  generous  and 
amiable,  with  an  inclination,  in  his  moments  of  confidential  intercourse, 
to  the  indulgence  of  much  humor. 

As  a  Christian,  he  was  humble  and  faithful;  and  as  a  minister  of 
religion,  he  is  said  to  have  been  "affectionate,  earnest  and  solemn  in 
the  exhortation  and  admonition  which  were  his  duties." 

As  a  Mason,  in  which  character  we  are  more  particularly  in  this 
place  to  view  him,  he  wis  entitled  to  much  praise  for  the  progress  he 
had  made  in  the  study  of  the  Institution  at  a  time  when  but  little  was 
known  of  its  true  scientific  and  philosophical  bearings.  Although,  at 
this  d  ty,  the  writings  of  Dalcho  would  not  be  considered  as  sufficiently 
erudite  to  place  him  in  an  elevated  position  among  Masonic  authors, 
yet  he  was  u  idoubtcd  y  ahead  of  the  masses  of  the  Fraternity  among 
whom  he  lived  With  the  real  antiquities  of  Masonry  he  appears  to 
havi  been  but  little  acquainted;  of  its  symb  logy,  he  was  almost 
wholly  ignorant;  and  of  the  true  meaning  of  its  legend  iry  history  he 
must,  ii  we  are  to  ju  Igts  from  his  writings,  have  had  a  very  ina  Jequate 
conception;  but  this  was  the  fault  of  the  people  and  the  circumstances 
by  which  he  was  surrounded;  while,  with  its  social  and  religious  ten- 
dencies, he  seems  to  have  been  properly  i  npressed.  Viewing  it  chiefly 
in  this  light,  not  altogether  an  incorrect,  but  certainly  a  contracted  one, 
he  conscientiously  and  faithfully  devoted  much  of  his  time,  his  talent, 
and  his  influence,  to  the  defence  and  propagation  of  the  virtuous  prin- 
ciples which  it  inculcates. 

To  the  Masonry  of  South  Carolina,  Dr.  Dalcho  was  undoubtedly  a 
benefactor,  and  his  brethren  of  that  State,  however  they  may  choose  to 
estimate  his  services  as  a  Masonic  writer,  are  bound  to  tespect  his 
memory  for  the  fidelity  with  which  he  discharged  the  various  important 
trusts  that  were  confided  to  him. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  255 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE  YEAR  1S37. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1837  : 
John  J.  Alexander,  Grand  Master; 

Gko.  H.  ECKHARD,  Deputy  Groin/  Aft  inter ; 

James  Moorhead,  Senior  Grand  W  rden: 

W.M.  B.  FOSTER,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  It.  IIogkrs,  Grand  Treannrn* ; 

John  W.  Bruen,  Our  responding  Gmud  Secretary; 

John  II.  Honour,  Recording  Grand  Scrcfitt/. 

From  some  unexplained  cause,  probably  from  the  fact  that  tho  Grand 
Master  elect,  who  is  the  appointing  officer,  had  declined  to  serv  ,  there 
was  no  regular  appointment  or  installation  of  subordinate  officers  dur- 
ing the  year  1H37.  The  offices  were  filled  at  each  meeting,  by  tem- 
porary appointments. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  31  at  of  March,  1837.  Pro.  John 
J.  Alexander  was  elected  and  installed  Grand  Master. 

St.  John's  Lodge  No.  13,  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  having  become 
extinct,  the  Grand  Lodge  applied  t>  the  Planters'  and  Mechanics'  Rink 
for  the  transfer  of  certain  shares  in  that  bank  standing  in  the  name  of 
the  Lodge.  After  certain  legal  formalities  the  demand  was  acceded  to, 
ami  the  shares  were  transferred  to  the  Grand  L.dge.  The  whole  sum 
thu-;  received  was-  $377    27. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  June,  1837.  The  Grand 
Treasurer  gave  notice  that  the  Columbia  Academy  had  applied  for  the 
fu  ids  of  Columbia  Lodge  No.  39,  now  extinct,  as  escheated  money. 
The  Grand  Lodge  resolved  to  employ  counsel  to  contest  the  claim. 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Liberty  Hill,  to  be  called 
Solomon's  Lodge  No.  3. 

'J  he  work  of  the  new  flail  was  going  bravely  on.  All  the  contracts 
had  been  signed,  and  large  quantities  of  materials  had  been  purchased. 
The  gieat  de-ideratum  of  the  Craft  seemed  now,  after  its  many  disap- 
pointments, about  to  be  realized. 

The  Gn.nd  Lodge  resolved  that  Subordinate  Lodges  should  be  pro- 
hibited from  receiving  due  bills  for  arrearages  or  initiation  fees. 


256  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Special  Communication  on  the  21st  of  July,  1837.  The  meeting  was 
called  merely  for  the  settlement  of  business  matters  relating  to  one  of 
the  contracts  for  the  building  of  the  Hall. 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Branchville,  to  be  called 
Harmony  Lodge  No.  12. 

Special  Communication  on  the  28d  of  August,  1837,  for  the  purpose 
of  laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  Hall  about  to  be  erected  at  the 
west  end  of  the  Market.  As  this  was  a  memorable  occasion,  notwith- 
standing the  subsequent  fatality  and  failure  that  attended  the  enter- 
prize,  for  it  was  the  first  time  that  the  Fraternity  in  the  State  had 
advanced  so  far  in  the  great  object  to  which  they  had  for  so  many  years 
directed  all  their  wishes  and  their  energies,  as  to  lay  tho  foundation 
stone  of  a  permanent  home,  it  is  meet  and  proper  that  the  full  ceremony 
should  be  placed  upon  record. 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  Corner-Stone  of  the  new  Hall  took  place 
on  Tuesday  afternoon,  August  23d,  in  due  Masonic  form.  The  Grand 
Lodge  assembled  at  Seyle's  room  at  four  o'clock,  when  a  procession  was 
formed,  under  the  direction  of  Brother  Charles  R.  Holmes,  acting 
Grand  Marshal,  consisting  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  a  large 
number  of  the  members  of  Subordinate  Lodges,  the  Koyal  Arch  Chap- 
ters, and  Encampment  of  Knight  Templars,  all  inappropriate  costume; 
together  with  the  Mayor,  (R.  Y.  Hayne,  Esq.,)  and  the  Aldermen  of 
the  city.  The  procession  moved  dowu  King  to  Market  street,  and 
thence  to  the  site  of  the  building  at  the  west  end  of  the  Market,  front- 
ing on  Meeting  street  :  on  reaching  which  it  opened  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  the  Grand  Master,  Grand  Lodge,  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  passed 
through  to  the  spot  where  the  stone  was  suspended,  ready  to  be  lowered 
into  its  bed.  Alter  an  appropriate,  prayer  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Honour, 
the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Building  (Bro.  Alexander 
McDonald)  presented  to  the  Grand  Master  the  Plumb,  Square  and 
Level,  requesting  that  he  would,  according  to  Masonic  usages,  ascertain 
the  litness  of  the  stone ;  which  having  been  done,  he  pronounced  the 
same  "  true  and  trusty." 

The  Grand  Master  then  addressed  the  Grand  Treasurer  (Bro.  John 
R.  Rogers)  : 

"  Brother  Grand  Treasurer,  you  will  please  now  deposit  the  custom- 
ary memorials  as  evidence  of  this  day's  transactions,"  which  having 
been  placed,  with  the  assistance  of  Bro.  (Hyde,)  the  Architect,  the 
stone  was  laid,  which  bore  the  following  inscription  : 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA..  257 

ERECTED    BY 
THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF 

ANCIENT  FREE  MASONS 

OF   SOUTH    CAROLINA, 

August  1st,  5837. 

The  Grand  Master  then  said,  "  May  the  Grand  Architect  of  the 
Universe  grant  his  blessing  on  the  foundation  stone  we  have  now  laid, 
and  give  prosperity  to  our  beloved  city  and  country  ;"  then  turning  to 
the  Deacons  bearing  the  three  silver  cups,  containing  the  corn,  wiue 
and  oil,  he  received  and  suco  ssively  poured  them  out  on  the  stone, 
with  this  appeal  to  Heaven  :  '•  May  the  All  Bountiful  Author  of  Nature 
bless  our  city  with  corn,  wine,  and  oil,  and  all  the  necessaries  of  life  iu 
abundance,  and  preserve  it  forever  from  ruin  and  decay  "  Then  re- 
turning to  the  Architect  the  implements  of  Masonry,  he  said  : 

"  Bro.  Hyde,  having  unbounded  confidence  in  your  skill  and  integ- 
rity as  an  Artist,  wc  entrust  you  with  these  symbols;  may  you  erect 
a  building  to  Masonry  worthy  of  its  great  name,  and  of  your  character 
as  its  Architect." 

To  which  Bro.  Hyde  responded  :  "  That  he  accepted  the  trust,  and 
pledged  himself  for  its  faithful  performance." 

The  ceremony  being  concluded,  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master 
(Bro.  J.  J.  Alexander)  addressed  the  assembled  multitude  as  follows  : 

ADDRESS. 
Brethren  and  Fellow-Citizens  : 

In  the  established  usage  of  our  Craft  it  becomes  my  happy  lot  to 
congratulate  you  on  this  interesting  occasion.  The  fabric  which  will 
arise  from  this  foundation  will  give  to  Masonry  an  "abiding  place,"  to 
our  city  its  first  Masonic  Temple.  This,  in  an  age  of  improvement,  rife 
with  varied  enterprises  like  the  present,  is  but  snatching  some  portion 
of  the  spirit  of  the  times,  lending  our  aid  to  the  goodly  work,  and  ad- 
ding our  impetus  to  obtain  for  her  the  proud  rank  (which,  thanks  to  a 
distinguished  citizen,  whose  exertions  have  eminently  contributed  to 
it,)  she  is  destined  to  maintain.  Happily  for  the  consummation  of 
these  works  of  utility  and  patriotism,  our  country,  lately  torn  aud  bleed- 
ing under  party  conflicts,  has  sacrificed  the  demon  on  a  common  altar, 
restoring  lost  peace,  where  flowed  the  waters  of  bitterness  and  strife. 

The  time  allotted  to  the  ceremonies  iu  which  we  have  participated, 
will  not  permit  an  enlarged  defence  of  our  much  abused  and  mistaken 
17 


258  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Order.  Indeed  it  is  unnecessary  to  elaborate  an  argument  in  favor  of 
an  Institution  whose  existence  has  been  coeval  with  the  earliest  an- 
tiquity, occupying  in  enviable  association  and  connection  with  the 
historic  page,  many  of  the  most  important  events  it  developes.  It  may, 
however,  be  pertinent  to  our  object,  to  give  a  brief  outline  of  some  of 
the  distinguishing  characteristics  it  displays,  both  as  a  secret  Society 
and  public  charity — institute  an  enquiry  into  the  causes  of  its  declen- 
sion, and  make  an  aspiration  for  its  return  to  its  former  "  high  and 
palmy  state." 

Abstracted  from  the  pure  and  perfect  friendship  which  it  enjoins,  so 
indelibly  imprinted  that  no  chance  or  circumstance  can  ever  intercept 
or  destroy  it,  Masonry,  breathing  the  most  comprehensive  feeling  of 
benevolence,  may  be  regarded  as  a  science  confined  to  no  region  of 
country — "  the  boon  of  Heaven  to  the  human  race  "—it  has  become 
the  universal  language  of  the  world.  This  is  decidedly  its  strongest  if 
not  its  most  delightful  feature.  What  sight  more  gratifying  to  the 
philanthropist  to  contemplate  than  that  of  a  high  souled,  spontaneous 
and  fervid  charity,  extended  from  Christian,  Pagan  and  Jew,  minister- 
ing in  stranger  lands  to  his  brother  of  the  Mystic  Tie?  What  incident 
more  glorious  than  that  of  generous  combatants  in  some  field  of  fight, 
whom  the  chances  of  honorable  warfare  have  brought  against  each 
other,  whose  hands  have  already  devoted  to  a  sanguinary  end,  perhaps, 
the  soul  of  chivalry  and  honor  ! — but,  as  if  by  inspiration,  with  a 
"  mighty  magic"  the  expected  doom  is  averted,  and  the  hand  just 
raised  to  shed  his  blood,  casts  away  the  nerveless  weapon,  and  shields 
with  his  own  breast  the  recognized  brother  of  his  Masouic  Faith  !  Or, 
as  in  that  of  the  pirate,  that  dread  prowler  and  fell  destroyer  on  the 
sea,  unsparing  and  relentless  to  every  age  and  sex,  who,,  unlike  the 
Corsair,  "  links  not  one  virtue  to  his  thousand  crimes,"  even  he  bows 
to  the  power  of  Masonry,  whose  appalling  name  (mystically  conveyed) 
releases  from  his  remorseless  grasp,  the  hapless  mariner,  with  but  one 
plank  between  him  and   destruction  ! 

In  the  quiet  sunshine  of  life,  as  well  as  in  the  storms  that  break 
upon  it,  how  great  the  zest  to  our  happiness  in  seeking  out  and  relieving 
the  wants  of  honest  poverty.  This  is  a  peculiar  and  affecting  part  of 
the  Mason's  duty — to  wipe  the  dew  of  sorrow  from  the  cheek  of  the 
mourner,  to  light  the  glad  smile  in  the  eye  of  the  wretched ;  to  amelior- 
ate the  anguish  which  wrings  the  hearts  of  the  unfortunate,  and  with  a 
Samaritan  virtue,  binding  up  the  wounds  of  the  afflicted,  pouring  in 
the  oil  and  wine  of  consolation  and  kindness. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  259 

But  if  so  worthy  of  our  admiration  in  the  advantages  portrayed, 
how  transcendautly  estimable  does  it  appear  as  the  hai.dmaid  of  the  Arts, 
so  happily  allied  to  learning  and  useful  knowledge.  It  is  in  this  view 
our  theme  exultingly  expands,  and  points  to  its  pages  with  triumphant 
and  unmingled  pleasure  !  For  through  its  sublime  and  beautiful  truths, 
so  strikingly  and  harmoniously  illustrated  by  its  emblems,  a  grand  moral 
picture  is  created,  whose  properties  and  effect  is  unsurpassed  in  beauti- 
ful simplicity,  even  by  the  Scriptures  themselves,  on  which  it  is  so  nobfu 
based.  It  requires  but  the  exercise  of  an  enlightened  intellect  to  stamp 
its  glorious  precepts,  like  aphorisms  on  the  mind;  realizing  the  highest 
and  most  sublime  system  of  Ethics,  conveyed  in  a  language  the  very 
soul  of  poetry,  breathing  forth  in  most  delightful  strains,  to  man — the 
doctrines  of  brotherly  love  and  affection — to  God — the  adoration  due 
from  the  creature  to  his  Creator.  I  now  proceed  to  institute  an  enquiry 
into  the  probible  causes  that  have  produced  its  prostration,  from  the 
elevated  position  it  once  held. 

The  Government  of  our  country  is  known  to  be  distinctly  of  a  popu- 
lar character.  The  will  of  the  people  is  here  sovereign,  and  knows  no 
superior  but  the  majesty  of  the  law.  This  Government,  secured  to  us 
by  a  mighty  revolution,  placed  us  in  possession  of  Liberty,  with  all  its 
inherent  rights,  and  made  us  emphatically  a  chosen  people.  With  all 
the  wholesome  restraints,  however,  which  the  wisdom  of  our  fathers  im- 
posed, (consecrated  to  us  in  that  invaluable  legacy,  our  glorious  Consti- 
tution,) the  spirit  of  freedom  has  sometimes  run  wild,  and  with  all  its 
checks  and  balances,  has  frequently  degenerated  into  a  spirit  of  licen- 
tiousness. In  the  prevalence  of  embittered  contests  aiising  from  party 
feeling  thus  untrammelled,  every  means,  even  the  most  unhallowed, 
have  been  used,  to  catch  the  popular  will,  and  bring  the  opinions  of 
men  into  slavish  subjection  to  designing  politicians.  Among  the  arts 
resorted  to  for  this  purpose,  in  many  of  our  sister  States,  and  which, 
unhappily  for  us,  but  too  well  suited  the  tone  and  temper  of  the  public 
feeling  there,  the  abuse  and  denunciation  of  our  Institution  became  a 
source  of  malignant  triumph  to  its  enemies — of  gloomy  despondency  to 
its  friends,  an  engine  of  political  advancement  or  degradation,  as  success 
fluctuated  between  them ;  and  finally  (by  one  sad  act  of  frenzied  weak- 
ness, given  through  a  few  irresponsible,  ignorant  and  misguided  men) 
throwing  it  into  the  shade  of  unmerited  obloquy — decrying  its  exist- 
ence as  unnecessary;  misrepresenting  or  falsifying  its  intentions;  brand- 
ing it  with  deeds  of  criminality  and  self-abasement,  to  which  truth  was 
utterly  repugnant;  making  it  an  instrument  of  party  intolerance,  par- 


260  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ticularly  obnoxious  to  a  leading  injunction  not  to  interfere  with  the  po- 
litical or  polemical  opinions  of  any  member  of  the  Craft ;  whicli  beau- 
tifully illustrates  (in  religion)  that  universal  toleration  of  our  free  aud 
happy  system ;  for,  as  every  religion  teaches  morality,  so  when  found  to 
act  upon  the  square  of  truth  and  virtue,  his  speculations  and  cried  are 
between  the  Mason  and  his  God  !  Again — it  may  be  traced  to  oursrlves, 
in  departing  from  the  guidance  of  its  immutable  principles;  n  >t  cher- 
ishing with  all  our  hearts  the  virtues  that  adorn — the  graces  that  em- 
bellish it— forgetting  to  carry  into  society  that  active  benevolence  with 
which  it  is  strongly  imbued;  stifling  the  commanding  and  elevated  im- 
pulses which  bring  "life  and  immortality  to  light,"  and  losing  sight  of 
that  individuality  of  character  which  challenges  the  esteem  and  respect, 
though  it  may  forieit  the  apj  lause  of  men. 

In  conclusion — if  Masonry  has  fallen  from  her  high  estate,  it  is  de- 
monstrable it  cannot  arise  from  it^  innate  and  intrinsic  qualities,  for 
they  inculcate  and  encourage  every  high  minded  and  honorable  senti- 
ment !  Let  us  make  then  a  great  and  powerful  effort  to  the  rescue  ! 
bring  to  her  cause  our  concentrated  energies — publish  her  "ways  of 
pleasantness  and  her  paths  of  peace  " — invite  the  world  to  an  examina- 
tion of  her  moral  grandeur — exhibit  her  raising  the  tender  bud  of 
promise,  broken  by  some  rude  hand,  and  receiving  back  to  her  fold  even 
her  own  misguided  and  repentant  children.  We  may  then  live  to  wit- 
ness the  acclamations  of  the  very  enemies  who  would  work  her  ruin  ! 
and  from  this  event  many  a  latent  spark  of  returning  affection  may  be 
made  to  kindle  into  a  flame  of  never  dying  faith  and  enduring  attach- 
ment ;  so  that  when  once  the  veil  of  ignorance  is  torn  from  the  eyes  of 
delusion,  and  reason  regulates  where  prejudice  and  passion  have  pre- 
vailed, our  noble  and  venerable  Institution  will  be  established  on  the 
rock  of  ages;  while  Truth,  in  all  her  beauty  and  majesty,  "pervades 
the  inmost  recesses  of  the  human  heart,"  rekindliug  the  languishing 
fires  of  genius,  aud  arousing  the  sympathies  of  humanity  in  her  cause; 
then  will  the  sun  of  Masonry  shine  out,  not  iu  one  transient  gleam, 
but  in  a  flood  of  light,  bursting  away  the  clouds  that  gather  round  it. 

The  address  being  concluded,  the  procession  was  reformed  and  passed 
down  Meeting  to  Queen  street,  thence  to  and  up  King  street  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  room,  where  (after  partaking  refreshments)  it  was  dis- 
missed. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  September,  1837.  It  was 
determined  that  the  procession  should  be  dispensed  with  on  St.  John's 
day.     The  usual  banquet  was  ordered. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  261 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  15th  of  December,  1837.  The  an- 
nual election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place,  and  Charles  M.  Furman  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  There 
was  no  procession,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  met  in  the  evening,  when  Bro. 
J.  J.  Alexander,  Past  Grand  Master,  installed  the  Grand  Master  elect, 
who  afterwards  installed  the  other  officers. 

The  Grand  Master  delivered  "a  very  appropriate  address"  on  as- 
suming the  chair,  a  copy  of  which  was  requested  for  publication  in  the 
abstract  of  proceedings  of  that  year.     It  was  not,  however,  published. 

The  celebration  of  the  day  was  concluded  wiih  a  6upper. 


262  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTEK  XXXI. 

THE   YEAR  1838. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1838  : 

Charles  M.  Furman,  Grand  Master  ; 

G.  B.  EcKHARD,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Wm.  B.  Foster,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

John  Ewan,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  R.  Rogers,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

John  W.  Bruen,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

John  H.  Honour,  Recording  Grand  Secretary  ; 

Joseph  Moss,  •) 

William  W  Godfrey,  }  Senior  Grand  &**»"! 

Thomas  B.  Swift,  ) 

James  Norms,       j  Junior  Grand  Deacom  ; 

Solomon  Moses,    Grand  Marshal; 

Thomas  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

George  Dunn,  ) 

F.  C.Barber,  ]  Grand  Stewards ; 

Francis  C.  Hill,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  9th  of  March,  1838.  This  meeting 
was  called  to  provide  funds  for  the  further  prosecution  of  the  building 
of  the  Hall.  This  was  necessarily  to  be  done  by  loan,  and  one  of  the 
Chapters  and  four  of  the  Lodges  had  liberally  consented  to  aid  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  enterprise.  It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  borrow 
five  thousand  dollars  from  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  No.  4,  on  six  per 
cent,  stock,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  two  dollars  per  share ;  one 
thousand  from  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  and  not  exceeding  twenty- 
five  hundred  from  Carolina  Chapter  No.  1,  (twenty-one  hundred  was 
raided,)  for  all  of  which  the  Grand  Lodge  was  to  give  a  mortgage  of  the 
Hall  with  its  right  to  the  land  on  which  it  stood.  The  interest,  at  the 
rate  of  seven  per  cent.,  was  to  be  paid  annually. 

The  Grand  Officers  were  directed  to  inquire  into  the  amount  of  the 
surplus  funds  of  the  old  Masonic  Hall  Company  which  remained  undis- 
posed of,  and  to  propose  to  the  executor  of  the  late  Simon  Magwood, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  263 

in  whose  charge  these  funds  had  remained  as  the  last  President  of  that 
company,  to  take  charge  of  those  funds  and  to  assume  their  application. 
If  this  proposition  was  accepted,  the  Grand  Lodge  would  be  put  in  pos- 
session of  a  considerable  amount  of  money  (several  hundred  dollars), 
the  property  of  stockholders,  a  large  proportion  of  which  would  prob- 
ably never  be  called  for. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March,  1838.  The  report 
on  the  Grand  Treasurer's  books  shows  that  $9,502  21  had  been  ex- 
pended for  building  materials,  and  that  $2,467  33  remained  in  the 
treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  enquire  into  the  claim  or  authority 
which  the  Grand  Lodge  has  over  the  funds  of  Subordinate  Lodges  after 
they  have  surrendered  their  warrants  of  constitution. 

I  now  arrive  at  a  gloomy  period  in  the  history  of  Charleston,  when 
all  the  fond  anticipations  of  the  Fraternity,  that  they  would  have  a 
"local  habitation"  worthy  of  the  Institution,  were  suddenly  blasted  by 
the  afflictive  dispensation  of  Divine  Providence. 

On  the  night  of  the  27th  of  April,  1838,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  city 
of  Charleston,  which,  commencing  in  King  near  the  corner  of  Beresford 
street,  extended  its  ravages  in  a  North  direction  as  far  as  Liberty 
street,  and  in  a  West  and  North-west  direction  to  Society  street,  and 
nearly  to  East  Bay.  Nearly  one-third  of  the  city  became  a  victim  to 
the  flames.  Many  churches  and  public  edifices  were  destroyed,  and, 
among  the  latter,  the  new  Masonic  Hall,  which  was  then  in  rapid  course 
of  erection.  But  this  was  not  all  the  loss  which  the  Craft  incurred. 
Seyle's  Hall,  in  which  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges  at  that  time 
met,  was  consumed,  and  with  it  nearly  all  the  furniture  of  the  various 
Masonic  bodies,  and  greater  loss  than  all,  the  entire  records  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  with  the  exception  of  the  last  book  of  minutes,  com- 
mencing with  the  year  1836,  which  was  fortunately  kept  at  the  house 
of  the  Grand  Secretary  and  was  thus  preserved.*  This  was  a  heavy 
blow,  which  it  seemed  likely  would  utterly  crush  the  just  rising  hopes 
of  the  Craft  to  secure  for  themselves  a  local  habitation.  But  it  will 
soon  be  seen  that  the  Fraternity  were  resolved  not  yet  utterly  to  de- 
spair. 

*A  chest  belonging  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  containing  the  jewels  and  collars  of  its 
officers,  and  a  small  portion  of  its  furniture,  was  also  saved  by  the  exertions  of 
Bro.  Seyle,  the  keeper  of  the  Hall. 


264  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

A  Special  Communication  was  called  on  the  7th  of  May,  1838,  only 
nine  days  after  the  disastrous  conflagration. 

The  full  record  of  the  proceedings  of  that  meeting  is  well  worthy  of 
preservation,  for  it  shows  the  recuperative  energy  which  existed  in  the 
body,  and  the  determination  with  which  the  Fraternity  had  resolved  to 
pursue,  with  renewed  zeal,  the  enterprise  which,  for  a  time  at  least, 
had  thus  been  arrested  in  the  almost  certain  road  to  a  successful  con- 
summation. 

"The  Grand  Master  stated  that  he  had  convened  the  Grand  Lodge, 
in  consequence  of  the  calami' y  that  had  befallen  the  city  by  the  jrreat 
fire  of  the  27th  and  28th  ult,  in  which  the  Masonic  Hall  building, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  rapidly  approaching  to 
its  completion,  had  been  destroyed,  to  consider  what  measures  are 
proper  to  be  adapted  under  existing  circumstances. 

"  The  f  Mowing  resolutions  were  then  offered  by  Brother  McDonald, 
seconded  by  Brother  King,  and  adopted,  viz: 

"Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  will  not  abandon  the  building  of 
the  Hall  recently  destroyed  by  fire,  but  shall  use  every  exertion  to  com- 
plete a  building  creditable  to  the  Craft. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Officers  be  appointed  a  committee  to 
appeal  to  the  different  Grand  Lodges  throughout  the  United  States,  to 
assist  this  Grand  Lodge  in  the  rebuilding  of  the  Hall. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Officers  petition  the  Legislature  of  this 
State  to  renew  the  lottery  granted  some  years  since  to  this  Grand  Lodge. 

"  On  motion  of  Bro.  King,  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Worshipful  Master  of  every  Ledge  in  the  State 
of  South  Carolina  be  requested  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  mem- 
bers of  his  Lodge,  to  collect  subscriptions  from  Masons  generally,  and 
others  disposed  to  subscribe,  to  aid  in  the  reerection  of  the  Masonic 
Hall;  and  that  the  Grand  Master  of  this  Grand  Lodge  be  requested  to 
visit  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  this  city,  and  endeavor  to  obtain  an 
appropriation  or  loan  from  them  for  the  same  purpose. 

"  The  M.  W.  Grand  Master  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that  Lodge 
*  La  Caudcur'  had  tendered  the  use  of  their  Lodge  room  to  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  whereupon,  on  motion  of  Bro.  Eckhard,  it  was 

n  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  tendered  to  the 
M.  W.  Officers  and  members  of  Lodge  'La  Caudeur  No.  36,'  for  their 
kind  tender  of  the  use  of  their  Lodge  room  for  the  temporary  accommo- 
dation of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Subordinate  Lodges,  and  that  the  Grand 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  265 

Lodge  gratefully  accept  the  same  until  further  arrangements  can  he 
made. 

11  On  motion  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  wait 
on  the  officers  of  Lodge  La  Candeur,  to  make  arrangement?  for  the  use 
of  their  room  for  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  of  the  Subor- 
dinate Lodges. 

"  Committee,  Bros.  Burgcs,  King  and  Moses. 

"On  motion  Resolved,  That  the  four  Deacons  be  appointed  to  ascer- 
tain what  furniture,  &c,  belonging  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  has  been  saved 
from  the  late  fire,  and  report  a  schedule  thereof  at  the  next  meeting. 

11  The  Grand  L>dge  then  adjourned." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  June,  1838.  This  was 
called  at  the  Lodge  room  of  La  Candeur  Lodge  No.  36,  at  the  corner 
of  State  and  Market  streets.  For  the  first  time  in  the  recorded  history 
of  Masonry  in  the  State,  there  was  a  failure  to  open  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  Charleston  for  the  want  of  a  quorum.  Ouly  three  Lodges  were  rep- 
resented. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  21st  of  December,  1838.  It  had 
of  course  been  the  indention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  commence  the 
erection  of  a  new  Elall  on  the  site  of  the  one  whose  beginning  had  been 
arrested  by  the  fire  of  April.  On  this  land  they  held  a  claim  assured 
to  them  by  the  legally  executed  contract  with  the  City  Council.  But 
since  the  conflagration,  the  corporation  had  determined,  in  the  restora- 
tion of  the  burnt  district,  to  build  a  public  Hall  on  the  very  site  which 
they  had  granted  to  be  occupied  by  the  Masonic  edifice.  But  to  do 
this  it  was  first  necessary  to  obtain  from  the  Grand  Lodge  a  release  of 
the  site.  Negotiations  were,  therefore,  entered  into  on  this  subject  by 
the  contracting  parties,  and,  at  this  Communication,  the  Grand  Lodge 
determined  that  it  would  not  relinquish  its  right  to  the  land  for  less 
remuneration  than  two  thousand  dollars  and  a  lot  of  land  suitable  as  a 
site  for  a  Masonic  Hall,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  close  the  con- 
tract on  those  terms. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Charles  M.  Furman  was  reelected 
Grand  Master. 

New  warrants  were  granted,  free  of  expense,  except  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary's fee,  to  Franklin  Lodge  No.  2,  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  No.  4, 
and  Pythagorean  Lodge  No.  21,  whose  warrants  had  been  destroyed  by 
the  fire. 

The  Stewards  were  directed  to  provide  suitable  refreshments  for  the 


266  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

approaching  Festival  of  St.  John,  but  no  other  arrangements  than  tho 
usual  Cotuinunicatiou  were  made  for  its  celebration. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  with  but 
little  eclat.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  convened  at  six  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing. The  Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  were  installed,  by  whom  the 
record  does  not  say,  and  the  Fraternity  adjourned  to  the  usual  supper. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  267 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE   YEAR    1839. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1839  : 

G.  M.  FuRMAN,  Grand  Master; 

George  B.  Eckhard,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Wm.  B.  FOSTER,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

JOHN  Ewan,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

John  R.  Rogers,  Grand  Treasurer; 

John  W.  Bruen,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary; 

John  II.  Honour,  Recording  Grand  Secretary  ; 

James  C.  Norris,  )  e    .     n       ,  n 

'  \  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 
Thomas  B.  Swift,  ) 

George  Dunn,  )   7     .     „       ,  n 

>  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Solomon  Moses,  Grand  Marshal ; 
Thomas  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

'     '  '     [•  Grand  Stewards; 

John  E.  Odena,  ) 

F.  C.  Hill,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  29th  of  March,  1839.  The  mem- 
bers of  Franklin  Lodne  No.  2  were  permitted  to  amalgamate  with  Union 
Kilwinning  Lodge  No.  4,  and  to  place  their  funds  and  property  in  the 
possession  of  the  latter.* 

Bro.  Samuel  Seyle  received  the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  his 
exertions  in  saving  the  Grand  Lodge  chest,  during  the  fire  of  April, 
1838,  and  was  elected  an  honorary  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Recording  Grand  Secretary  reported  that  the  engraved  certificate 
plate,  with  all  the  impressions  that  had  been  taken  therefrom,  had  been 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  Grand  Lodge  made  no  provision  for  supplying 
the  deficiency  by  a  new  plate  until  many  years  afterwards. 

A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  City  Council  to  confer  with  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  the  Commissioners  of  the  Market  with  respect  to  a 

"Their  warrant  was  at  the  same  time  surrendered  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 


268  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

plan  for  rebuilding  the  Hall  in  the  same  place,  so  as  to  accommodate 
both  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Commissioners  of  the  Market.  The 
proposition  was  not,  however,  favorably  received  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Subordinate  Lodges 
on  the  subject  of  procuring  a  place  of  meeting.  The  Grand  Lodge 
was,  at  that  time,  holding  its  meetings  in  the  room  of  LaCandeur 
Lodge,  but  arrangements  were  made  with  Mr.  Kame,  who,  since  the 
fire,  had  erected  a  store  in  Meeting  street,  oppo.^ite  the  site  of  the 
Charlestjn  Hotel.  In  the  third  tory  of  that  room  the  future  Commu- 
nicationsof  the  Grand  Lodge  and  of  the  Lodges  and  Chapters  were 
held  until  the  present  Hal1  was  erected. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  28th  of  June,  1839.  This  was 
hoi  Jen  for  the  first  time  at  Rame's  Hall.  A  communication  was  re- 
ceived from  a  committee  of  the  City  Council,  enquiring  whether  the 
Grand  Lodge  would  accept  an  eligible  lot  in  the  city,  the  cost  of  which 
should  not  exceed  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  in  lieu  of  its 
claim  to  rebuild  on  the  site  of  the  former  Hall,  at  the  western  end  of 
the  Market.  The  enquiry  was  also  made  as  to  what  amount  of  money 
the  Grand  Lodge  would  accept  as  an  alternative  for  the  proposed  lot. 
It  was  resolved,  in  reply,  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  accept  either 
a  lot  or  such  a  sum  of  money  as  the  committee  might  deem  sufficient 
for  the  purchase  of  an  appropriate  site  for  a  Hall. 

The  Grand  Master  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that  the  executor  of 
Mr.  Magwood  declined  transferring  the  funds  of  the  late  Masonic  Hall 
Company  in  his  hands  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Special  Communication  on  the  13th  of  August,  1839.  The  Grand 
Master  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that  the  committee  which  had  been 
appointed  to  confer  with  the  City  Council,  had  agreed  to  receive,  as  an 
equivalent  for  the  claim  on  the  site  of  the  late  Masonic  Hall,  the  sum 
of  four  thousand  five  huudred  dollars,  and  the  committee  had  addressed 
communications  to  the  Lodges  and  Chapters,  from  whom  money  had 
been  borrowed,  on  the  subject  of  cancelling  the  mortgages  held  by 
them. 

St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10  agreed  to  release  the  Grand  Lodge  from 
the  mortgage  held  by  that  Lodge  for  the  amount  loaned  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  upon  the  amount  received  from  the  City  Council  being  depos- 
ited in  Bank,  subject  to  joint  check  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  St.  An- 
drew's Lodge. 

Carolina  Chapter  No.  1,  with  true  Masonic  trust  and  liberality,  un- 
conditionally released  the  mortgage,  "relying  on  the  faith  of  the  Grand 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  269 

Lodge,"  pledged  to  secure  the  loan  made  by  the  Chapter  in  such  man- 
ner as  might  thereafter  be  proposed  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  agreed  to  pledge  five  thousand  dollars  of  six  per 
cent.  State  stock,  which  had  been  transferred  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1838,  to  U  lion  Kilwinning  Lodge,  on  its  relinquishment  of  the  mort- 
gage held  by  it. 

The  Grand  Lodge  also  pledged  its  faith  to  secure  Lodge  No.  10  and 
Chapter  No.  1  by  a  mortgage  of  any  lot  thct  it  might  hereafter  pur- 
chase. 

The  Grand  Master  was  directed  to  execute  to  the  City  Council  a  deed 
of  relinquishment  of  the  site  at  rhe  west  eud  of  Market  street  and  the 
materials  still  remaining  thereon. 

Thus  ended  the  prospect  of  an  enterprise  at  one  time  so  near  com- 
pletion, and  the  hope  of  erecting  a  Hull  in  Meeting  street  on  city  land 
was  frustrated.  But  the  determination  to  build  a  flail  was  not  so  easily 
abandoned.  There  were  hopeful  hearts  and  energetic  spirits  still  at 
work,  and  immediately  after  the  arrangements  were  made  for  the  relin- 
quishment of  the  old  site  a  resolution  was  adopted  that  a  committee 
should  be  appointed  to  make  search  for  a  lot  suitable  for  a  site  of  a  Ma- 
sonic Flail,  and  to  enquire  into  the  terms  upon  which  such  a  lot  could 
be  purchased.  And  that  there  might  be  no  misake  about  the  im- 
portant object  for  which  the  committee  was  appointed,  it  was  further 
directed  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  purchasing  a  lot 
and  erecting  a  Hall. 

The  committee  appointed  were  Brothers  C.  M.  Furman,  W.  B.  Fos- 
ter, John  Ewan,  A.  McDonald  and  W.  S.  King.  We  shall  see  here- 
after the  report  made  by  this  committee. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  September,  1839.  Again, 
for  the  second  time,  L  record  the  humiliating  fact  that  there  was  not  a 
quorum  and  no  business  was  transacted.  Never,  it  seems  to  me,  had 
Masonry  been  at  a  lower  ebb  in  South  Carolina  than  now.  But  a  better 
time  was  coming. 

Special  Communication  on  the  2d  of  October,  1839.  The  commit- 
tee appointed  to  enquire  into  the  expediency  of  purchasing  a  lot  and 
building  a  Hall  made  their  report.  As  this  report  contains  much  in- 
formation on  what  was  then  the  financial  condition  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  as  it  is  intimately  connected  with  the  history  of  the  Hall  which 
W'18  afterwards  erected,  I  do  not  think  it  improper  to  transfer  from  the 
record  such  parts  of  it  as  particularly  relate  to  the  subject  of  pur- 
chasing a  lot. 


270  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

"The  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  and  report  the  state  of 
the  funds  of  t^e  Grand  Lodge,  and  also  upon  the  subject  of  purchasing 
a  lot  and  rebuilding  a  Masonic  Hall  thereon,  report:  That  it  appears 
from  the  statements  of  the  Grand  Treasurer,  examined  by  the  Commit- 
tee on  Accounts,  that  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  consist  of  the  fol- 
lowing items : 

The  6  per  cent,  stock  obtained  from  Union  Kilwin- 
ning Lodge §5,000 

Cash  received  from  the  City  Council,  deposited  in 
the  Bank  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina  to 
credit  of  this  Committee...... .....4,500 

Balance  in  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Treasurer .11,700 

11,200 
Against  which  must  be;setoff  the  following  debts : 

Bond  to  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge >....«.  ...$5y000    ,,, 

"     to  Carolina  Chapter ,.,..2,100 

"     to  Lodge  No.  10 ! 1,000 

8,100 

Leaving  this  balance $3,100 

"  In  determining  what  course  it  will  be  proper  to  pursue,  the  first 
step  necessary  will  be  to  obtain  the  assent  of  the  several  Masonic  bodies, 
to  which  the  Grand  Lodge  is  indebted,  to  accept  a  lien  on  property 
which  may  be  purchased  in  place  of  their  present  security.  If  this  be 
agreed  to,  then  the  Grand  Lodge  will  have  available  funds  to  the  above 
stated  amount.  Out  of  which  amount  (he  sum  necessary  to  purchase 
the  lot  must  be  6rst  deducted,  and  the  balance  will  be  applied  to  the 
erection  of  a  building.  This  would,  however,  be  insufficient,  unless  a 
lot  is  purchased  in  the  burnt  district,  and  the  aid  of  the  loan  under  the 
act  for  rebuilding  the  city  is  resorted  to.  1  he  ;  ttention  of  }our  com- 
mittee has  been  turned  to  the  lot  at  the  South-east  co.-  er  of  King  and 
Wentworth  streets.  This  lot  is  about  43  by  150  feet.  If  this  lot  were 
purchased,  the  price  asked  for  it,  £9,000,  deducted  from  the  fun  Is  abu  e 
reported,  will  leave  : 

On  hand  say $2,200 

Amount  which  may  be  borrowed  on  the  State  loan,  say 13,500 

$10,700 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  271 

"These  would  place  at  our  disposal  for  Ihe  erection  of  a  building 
about  $15,000.  Whether  this  sua  would  suffice  for  the  erection  of 
suitable  buildings,  your  committee  arc  not  at  present  able  to  state. 
Supposing  this  to  be  done,  however,  then  the  position  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  with  respect  to  funds,  would  be  as  follows:  We  would  be  in- 
debted by, 

Bond  to  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge $5,000     Interest         $350 

do.  to  Carolina  Chapter 2,100  147 

do.  to  Lodge  No.  10 1,000  70 

do.  for  Stateloan 13,500  810 

$-1,600  $1,377 

"Making  a  debt  of  $21,000  to  $22,000,  bearing  an  annual  interest 
of  about  $1,400,  to  which,  must  be  added  the  taxes  and  insurance  of 
the  property.  On  the  other  hand,  we  would  be  in  possession  of  the  lot 
and  buildings,  which  would  afford,  no  doubt,  room  for  two  stores  on  the 
first  story,  located  in  one  of  the  best  parts  of  King  street  for  the  pur- 
poses of  business.  With  these  statements,  the  matter  is  submitted  to 
the  consideration  of  the  Grand  Lodtre.  *  *  * 

"If  the  Grand  Lodge  should  not  determine  on  building,  we  recom- 
mend that  the  funds  in  possession  of  the  Committee  and  Treasurer  be 
immediately  invested." 

This  report  was  signed  by  four  of  the  committee,  Bros.  Furman,  Fos- 
ter, Ewan  and  King.  Its  tone  was  certainly  discouraging,  and  we  may 
presume  what  weie  the  gloomy  anticipations  and  distrustful  expecta- 
tions of  the  committee  when  we  find  that  immediately  after  the  reading 
of  the  report  the  following  resolutions  were,  on  the  motiou  of  Brother 
Kincr,  oue  of  the  committee,  appended  to  the  report: 

•* Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  deem  it  inexpedient,  at  this  time 
to  proceed  further  in  the  contemplated  plan  of  building  a  Masonic  Hall' 

"  Resolved,  That  the  liabilities  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  immediately 
liquidated,  and  the  remaining  funds  be  forthwith  invested  in  stock,  and 
that  the  Grand  Officers  be  a  committee  charged  with  the  duty  of  carry- 
ing this  resolution  into  effect." 

The  report  and  resolutions  were  adopted,  and  thus  the  hope  of  a  Hall 
seemed,  for  a  time  at  least,  to  be  "  nipped  in  the  bud."  Timidity  and 
over-abundance  of  caution  caused  the  abandonment  of  an  enterprise 
and  the  relinquishment  of  the  only  means  by  which  it  could  be  carried 
into  effect.  Not  ouly  was  it  advised  to  proceed  no  further  in  the  project 
of  building  a  Hall,  but  even  to  return  to  the  Lodges  the  money  which 


272  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

had  been  loaned  for  that  purpose.  But  it  will  be  seen  that  all  hope  and 
energy  were  not  yet  abandoned,  and  that  there  were  some  zealous  and 
fearless  spirits  who  were  determined  to  renew  and  to  effect  the  long 
cherished  object  of  erecting  a  Masonic  home.  The  records  of  the  next 
year  will  show  a  more  healthy  and  a  less  desponding  feeling. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  13th  of  December,  1839.  The  an- 
nual election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place,  and  Charles  M.  Furnian  was 
reelected  Grand  Master. 

The  Grand  Lodge  settled,  as  points  of  Masonic  hw,  that  the  funds 
of  a  Subordinate  Lodge  are  intended  for  charitable  purposes,  and  not 
for  distribution  among  its  members,  and  that  on  any  Lodge  being  dis- 
solved by  its  own  act,  its  funds  should  be  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the 
Grand  Treasurer  until  such  Lodge  should  be  resuscitated 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  that  there  should  be  no  procession  on 
St.  John's  day  next.  It  was,  however,  resolved  that  there  should  be 
both  a  procession  and  address,  on  that  festival,  in  the  year  1840.  It 
was  hardly  regular  for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  make  arrangements  for  a 
celebration  which  would  more  properly  be  under  the  government  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  which  should  succeed  it.  Strange  ideas  of  the  perma- 
nency of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  a  governing  body  have  long  prevailed 
among  the  Craft.  They  seem  almost  entirely  to  have  lost  sight  of  the 
fact  that  Grand  Lodges  are  representative  bodies,  whose  characters  are 
necessarily  annually  changed  by  the  change  of  representatives.  Nearly 
twenty  years  were  to  pass  before  this  great  truth  was  to  be  recognized 
in  all  its  extent. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  as  had  been 
arranged  at  the  previous  Quarterly  Communication.  The  Grand  Master 
elect  and  the  other  officers  were  installed,  but  the  record  omits  to  say 
by  whom,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  273 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

THE    TEAR    1840. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1840 : 

C.  M.  FuRMAN,  Grand  Master; 

W.  S.  King,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

W.  B.  FOSTER,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

JOHN  Ewan,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

H.  G.  Street,  Grand  Treasurer; 

John  W.  Bruen,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

John  H.  Honour,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

Geo.  Dunn,    1 

t    t>    r\  I  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

J.  E.  Odena,  J 

J.  A.  Wagener,  )         ; 

m    4     TT  c  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

T.  A.  Hayden,    j 

F.  C.  Barber,        f 

,Tt   r,   /-,  f  Grand  Stewai-ds  ; 

\\ .  C.  Gatewood,  J 

Sol.  Moses,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  SaLTAR,  Grand  Pursuivant  ; 

F.  C.  Hill,  Grand  Tiler. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  27th  of  March,  1840.  The  com- 
mittee on  the  sale  of  the-  Hall  announced  that  they  had  paid  the  debt 
due  to  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  and  Carolina  Chapter,  out  of  the  sum  re- 
ceived from  the  City  Council. 

It  was  determined  that  all  applications  for  charity  must  be  recom- 
mended by  one  or  two  well  known  Masons  in  the  city,  or  the  brother 
who  presents  the  petition  must  endorse  his  name  on  the  same,  without 
which  no  application  would  be  considered. 

A  committee,  consisting  of  Bros.  Barber,  Street  and  Gatewood,  were 
appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  providing  a  suit- 
able place  for  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Lodges. 
Rame's  Hall  was  found  tD  be  small  ami  i'l  ventilated,  and  the  object 
now  was  not  to  build,  but  to  rent.  Yet  the  appointment  of  this  com- 
mittee, it  will  be  hereafter  seen,  was,  perhaps  unintentionally,  the 
means  of  reviving  the  project  of  a  Hall. 
18 


274  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Special  Communication  on  the  19th  of  June,  1840.  A  warrant  was 
granted  for  the  constitution  of  a  Lodge  at  Abbeville,  to  be  called  Clin- 
ton Lodge  No.  8. 

The  Committee  to  obtain  a  place  of  meeting  made  a  report,  which 
was  adopted.  The  importance  of  this  report,  as  the  first  step  in  the 
new  enterprise,  which  finally  terminated  in  the  erection  of  the  present 
Hall,  requires  that  it  should  be  given  at  length. 

"  The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  Communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  to  provide  a  more  suitable  place  of  meeting  for  themselves  and 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  than  that  which  they  now  occupy,  beg  leave 
respectfully  to 

"  Report,  That  they  have  made  every  exertion  to  procure  such  a 
place,  but  without  success — that  from  the  nature  of  the  Masonic  insti- 
tution, a  building,  or  a  part  of  a  building  of  a  peculiar  construction,  is 
requisite  for  our  accommodation,  and  the  situation  central ;  after  the 
most  diligent  inquiries  on  our  part,  no  such  place  could  be  found.  To 
secure,  therefore,  to  ourselves  and  our  successors,  a  permanent  and  con- 
venient place  of  meeting,  your  committee  cannot  arrive  at  any  other 
conclusion  than  to  recommend  to  the  Grand  Lodge  to  make  another 
attempt  to  erect  an  edifice  suitable  for  our  meetings,  and  which  will 
prove  a  rallying  point  for  the  brethren,  many  of  whom  have  become 
careless  of  attending,  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  proper  accommo- 
dations. 

"  Your  committee  cannot  think  they  have  gone  beyond  the  duties 
assigned  them,  in  giving  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  result  of  their  in- 
quiries as  regards  the  probable  cost  of  such  a  building  as  they  would 
recommend  to  be  erected,  and  a  location  for  the  same — they  therefore 
beg  leave  to  recommend  the  purchase  of  a  lot  at  the  South-east  corner 
of  King  and  Wentworth  streets,  which  they  understand  can  be  effected 
for  86, ".'OO,  and  that  the  Grand  Lodge  borrow,  from  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  and  the  Chapter,  such  a  sum  as  will  purchase  the  lot  and  erect 
a  suitable  building  thereon  ;  and  should  they  not  be  able  to  procure 
sufficient  funds  in  this  manner,  that  they  avail  themselves  of  the  State 
loan,  for  the  amount  required.  Judging  from  different  plans  which 
have  been  exhibited  to  your  committee,  th3y  are  persuaded  that  the 
whole  cau  be  accomplished  for  the  sum  of  S  1.6,000,  and  from  assur- 
ances received  from  many  of  the  Masonic  bodies,  they  do  not  hesitate 
to  say  that  the  whole  amount  can  be  obtained  for  the  completion  of 
such  an  undertaking.     The  low  prices  at  which  contracts  can  at  present 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  275 

be  made,  and  the  favorable  opinion  expressed  generally  by  the  members 
of  our  Society,  induce  your  committee  strongly  and  respectfully  to 
urge  the  Grand  Lodge  to  take  decisive  measures  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  important  object,  fully  convinced  that  a  more  favorable 
opportunity  will  never  present  itself. 

"  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

F.  C.  Barber,         -\ 

H.  G.  Street,  )■  Committee." 

W.  C.  Gatewood,   J 

All  honor  to  these  three  brethren,  who,  amid  all  the  despondency 
which  the  report  and  resolutions  of  the  previous  committee  seem  to 
have  generated,  were  able  thus  boldly  again  to  broach  the  subject  of 
building  a  Hall,  and  "  to  urge  the  Grand  Lodge  to  take  decisive  meas- 
ures for  the  accomplishment  of  this  important  object."  The  spirit  of 
hope  was  again  infused  into  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  immediately  after 
the  adoption  of  the  report,  Alexander  McDonald,  who,  for  nearly 
twenty  years,  had  never  lost  sight  of  this  great  idea  of  a  Masonic 
Hall,  and  who,  it  has  been  seen,  was  ever  ready,  on  all  proper  occasions, 
to  press  its  consideration  ou  the  Craft,  whose  energy  of  character  just 
fitted  him  for  carrying  out  any  scheme  upon  which  he  had  once  em- 
barked, and  whose  name  must,  therefore,  b«  forever  connected  with  the 
history  of  a  Masonic  Hall  in  South  Carolina,  proposed  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  : 

"  Whereas,  the  continued  experience  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  of  the 
Subordinate  Lodges,  confirms  the  impression  which  has  been  so  long 
entertained,  that  a  permanent  place  of  meeting,  under  the  absolute 
direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  is  essential  to  tho  prosperity  and  success 
of  the  Fraternity  ;  and  whereas  the  low  price  of  labor  and  materials, 
and  the  fall  in  the  cost  of  real  estate,  indicates  the  present  to  be  a 
suitable  time  for  making  a  renewed  effort  for  the  accomplishment  of 
this  important  object ;  and  whereas  the  liberal  feeling  which  has  been 
displayed  by  the  large  portion  of  the  Masonic  bodies  in  this  city,  gives 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Grand  Lodge  will  be  suitably  sustained  in 
making  such  effort  :  Therefore 

"  Rewlo&l,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  will  make  another  attempt  to 
erect  a  building  in  this  city,  with  suitable  accommodations  for  the 
meetings  of  the  several  Masonic  bodies. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  will  purchase  the  lot  at  the  South- 
east corner  of  King  aud  Weutworth  streets,  for  the  sum  of  six  thousand 


^76  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

dollars,  and  that  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Grand  Master  and  the 
Master  of  each  of  the  city  Lodges,  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

"Resolved,  That  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  applied  to  the 
purchase  of  said  lot,  and  that  the  Grand  Master  be  authorized  to  exe- 
cute such  bond  and  mortgage  as  may  be  necessary  in  effecting  such 
purchase. 

''•Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  highly  appreciate  the  prompt 
liberality  and  generous  confidence  which  have  animated  those  Masonic 
bodies  that  have  tendered  loans  from  their  funds  to  aid  in  erecting  the 
said  buildings.  That  in  such  conduct  we  perceive  a  spirit  which  in- 
sures the  completion  of  the  building,  and  a  regard  for  our  institution 
rising  above  all  sordid  considerations;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  with  grati- 
tude accepts  such  loans. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  proper  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  do  execute 
the  necessary  obligations  for  securing  the  said  respective  bodies  the 
amount  of  such  loans. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  effect  the  purchase  of 
the  lot,  obtain  a  plan  and  estimates  of  a  suitable  building. 

"  Resolved,  That  seven  per  cent,  per  annum  be  allowed  for  such  sums 
of  money  as  may  be  borrowed  from  the  several   Masonic  bodies." 

The  adoption  of  these  resolutions  certainly  looked  like  earnestness  in 
the  Craft,  and  that  earnestness,  we  will  see  in  future  details,  received 
the  reward  that  all  earnestness  in  any  lawful  enterprise  must  win.  Broth- 
ers McDonald  and  Street  were  appropriately  placed  upon  the  building 
committee,  which  consisted,  therefore,  of  the  Grand  Officers  and  these 
brethren,  to  whom  Bro.  Samuel  Seyle  was  afterwards  added. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  June,  1840.  The  Grand 
Treasurer  reported  the  available  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  amount- 
ing to  only  $1,893  75,  a  small  beginning  truly,  with  which  to  undertake 
an  enterprise  so  large  as  that  of  erecting  a  Hall. 

There  had  been  matters  of  difficulty  with  a  former  Treasurer,  and  a 
sum  of  over  two  thousand  dollars  was  due  by  him  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
scarcely  any  part  of  which  was  ever  recovered.  This  subject  occupied 
the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  present  Communication.  But 
he  who  was  in  fault  has  long  since  rendered  up  his  final  account,  and 
no  further  notice  need  be  taken  of  this  delicate  and  unfortunate  sub- 
ject- 
Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  September,  1840.  A  war- 
rant was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Edgefield  C.  H.,  to  be  known  as 
Concordia  Lodsre  No.  50. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  277 

The  Grand  Master  announced  that  the  lot  had  been  purchased,  and 
offers  for  contracts,  varying  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  had 
been  received. 

It  was  determined  to  revive  the  resolution  adopted  in  May,  1838, 
directing  application  to  be  made  to  the  different  Grand  Lodges  for  aid 
in  building  the  Hall.  To  the  honor  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  should  be 
observed,  that  this  resolution  was  never  put  into  execution,  no  appli- 
cation was  ever  made,  and  no  assistance  received,  but  the  whole  enter- 
prise was  completed  by  the  aid  of  the  Craft  within  the  jurisdiction. 

It  was  resolved  to  have  a  supper  on  St.  John's  day,  but  no  procession 
nor  address. 

The  lot  having  been  purchased  at  the  South-east  corner  of  King  and 
Weutworth  streets,  and  a  contract  made  with  John  II.  Seyle  for  the 
erection  of  a  building  for  the  sum  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  on  the 
9th  of  December,  in  the  afternoon,  without  public  uotiee,  but  modestly 
and  silently,  yet  with  all  the  ceremonial  requisitions  of  the  Order,  the 
Corner  Stone  of  the  new  edifice  was  laid  by  the  Grand  Master.  The 
gorgeous  ceremonies,  the  proud  procession,  the  inspiring  music  aud  the 
public  address,  which  attended  the  laying  of  the  Corner  Stone  of  the 
former  Hall,  were  in  striking  contrast  with  the  simplicity  and  silence 
of  the  present  ceremoo}'.  But  there  was  a  fearful  anticipation  of  pos- 
sible failure  which  still  brooded  over  many  of  the  leaders  in  that  day, 
and  there  was  not  yet  heart  to  make  a  great  display.  It  was  to  be  ex- 
pected and  cannot  be  condemned.  The  future  was  unrevealed,  and 
they  might  timidly  hope,  but  could  hardly  reasonably  expect  that  full 
fruition  aud  complete  success  that  was  to  follow  in  a  few  years  the 
humble  ceremony  of  the  foundation  stone,  which,  almost  unobserved  by 
transient  wayfarers,  took  place  on  the  9th  of  December,  18-40. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  18th  of  December,  1840.  The 
Grand  Master,  f-om  the  Building  Committee,  announced  the  purchase 
of  the  lot,  the  fact  that  the  contract  for  building  the  Hall  had  been 
entered  into,  and  the  corner  stone  laid,  aud  also  that  on  the  next  day 
the  first  installment  of  the  fire  loan  would  be  received.  Of  this  fire 
loan  it  may  be  necessary  to  say  a  word  in  explanation.  After  the  dis- 
astrous fire  of  1838,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  appropriated  two 
millions  of  dollars  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  The  relief  was  to  be 
effected  in  this  way.  Whenever  any  one  holding  a  lot  on  the  burnt 
district  was  desirous  of  rebuilding,  he  was  entitled  to  borrow  a  certain 
sum  of  money  in  proportion  to  the  value  of  his  lot  and  the  house  or 
bnildinc  which   he   intended   to  erect.     The  first  installment  of  <hi^ 


278  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

loan  was  paid  on  a  mortgage  of  the  lot  being  executed  to  the  State. 
As  soon  as  the  proposed  building  had  been  completed  to  a  certain 
poi::t,  another  installment  was  paid,  which  was  secured  by  a  mortgage 
on  the  proposed  building,  and  as  the  work  proceeded,  the  other  install- 
ments were  duly  paid.  Ten  years  were  granted  for  the  repayment  of 
this  loan,  which  period  was  subsequently  extended.  The  facility  of 
borrowing  money  in  this  way  gave  rise  to  many  bold  speculations,  and 
what  was  intended  to  afford  relief  was,  in  some  instances,  the  ulthn  te 
cause  of  ruin.  Several  persons  purchased  lots  in  the  burnt  district, 
and  borrowed  large  sums  for  the  erec-tion  of  buildings,  the  rent  of 
which  did  not  pay  the  interest  on  the  lean,  and  they  were  finally  sold 
on  a  foreclosure  of  mortgage  at  prices  far  below  the  original  cost.  To 
the  Grand  Lodge,  whose  lot  was  in  the  burnt  district,  and  therefore 
entitled  to  the  loan,  this  privilege  was  of  great  advantage,  and  the  sum 
of  twelve  thousand  nine  hundred  dollars  was  borrowed  in  this  way 
from  the  State. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Gen.  Edward  H.  Edwards  was 
eler-ted  Grand  Master. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  present  Grand  Master  should  be  added  to 
the  Building  Committee  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  without 
procession  or  address. 

The  Grand  Master  elect  was  installed  by  Bro.  C.  M.  Furman,  Past 
Grand  Master,  and  the  former  then  installed  the  other  officers. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Ledge  were  returned  to  Bro.  Furman 
"  for  the  faithful,  zealous  and  efficient  manner  in  which  he  had  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  his  high  office." 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed,  and  the  brethren  proceeded  to 
the  supper  room  to  close  the  day  in  harmony  and  peace. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  279 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

THE    YEAR     1841. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1841 : 

Edward  H.  Edwards,  Grand  Master ; 

Wm.  B.  Foster,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

JOHN  Ewan,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Thomas  A.  Hayden,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Rev.  Albert  Case,  Grand  Chaplain; 

II.  G.  STREET,   Grand  Treasurer ; 

John  W.  Bruen,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

John  H.  Honour,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

J.  E.  Odena,  ) 

,-,         ,-.  f  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

Geo.  Dunn,    ) 

J.  A.  Wagener, 


i  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
F.  Meiirtens,     3 

Sol.  Moses,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

F.  C.  Barber,         ")    n       ,  0l         7 
>    Grand  S'eivaras  ; 

W.  C.  GaiEWood,    ) 

F.  C.  HlH,  Grand  'Tiln: 

For  the  first  tiu,e  since  the  yenr  182G,  we  find  the  Grand  Lodge  fill- 
ing the  office  in  this  year  of  Grand  Chaplain.  This  omission  arose 
from  no  disrespect  on  the  part  of  the  Fraternity  towards  the  clerical 
profession,  or  any  un^ulingness  for  the  administration  of  religion  in 
the  ceremonies  of  iae  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  unfortunately  the  result 
of  necessity,  and  nothing  more  clearly  shows  the  unpopular  condition  of 
the  Order  in  the  State  at  the  time  tha  )  the  fact  that  for  the  long  period 
of  fourteen  years  there  was  no  clergyman  of  character  or  prominence 
in  the  Order  on  whom  the  office  of  Grand  Chaplain  could  be  bestowed. 
Although  the  sp;rit  of  anti-Masonry  which  in  1828  had  begun  to 
appear  in  the  Northern  and  Western  States,  and  had,  in  some  degree, 
extended  into  a  few  of  the  Southern,  was  utterly  unknown  in  South 
Carolina  as  the  watchword  of  a  political  party,  or  as  the  ingredient  in  a 
spirit  of  persecution  ;  although  nobody  look  any  interest  in  what  was 


280  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

called  "the  Morgan  excitement,"  and  although  Masonry  was  never  in 
the  way  of  public  service  or  political  preferment,  because  such  an  exter- 
nal and  irrelevant  ingredient  in  politics  was  wholly  contrary  to  the  well 
settled  policy  of  the  State,  and  the  character  of  the  people  then  as  it 
is  now;  yet  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  battle  which  Masonry  had 
been  compelled  to  wage  with  its  adversaries,  and  the  accusations  which 
had  been  poured  upon  it  elsewhere,  had  produced  a  deleterious  effect 
upon  it  here.  Men  of  prominent  position  and  of  elevated  social  con- 
dition, whether  that  position  and  condition  arose  from  the  adventitious 
circumstances  of  family  or  wealth,  or  from  the  more  rational  influences 
of  talents  and  moral  worth,  were  indisposed  to  unite  with  an  Order 
holding,  in  the  estimation  of  the  world  abroad,  so  equivocal  a  position. 
There  had  been  no  persecution  here,  as  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
and  New  England,  to  awaken  that  spirit  f  resistance  and  martyrdom 
which  persecution  always  does,  and  Masonry  in  Carolina  fell  at  that 
time  from  its  "  high  estate  "  by  indifference,  and  not  by  opposition. 
Hence,  with  the  exception  of  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  most  of  the 
offices  of  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  filled  for  years  by  gentlemen  of  no 
public  influence,  high  social  rank  or  elevated  professional  character. 
Most  of  the  men  who,  during  all  these  dark  years,  took  the  greatest  in- 
terest in  Masonry,  were  poor  and  humble  in  their  means,  and  often  un- 
educated, and  sometimes  even  unintellectual  in  their  character.  There 
were  of  course  exceptions  to  this  condition  of  things — not  all  the  men 
of  power  and  position  had  abandoned  the  meetings' o  tne  Grand  Lodge 
if  not  connection  with  the  Order;  but  it  bj  certain  ilat  f°r  these  four- 
teen years  there  was  not,  in  the  whpke  State,  a  sPg^e  clergyman  of 
character  and  influence,  in  his  own  church  or  in  thr  world,  who  took 
any  active  part  in  the  subject  of  Masonry.  And  P'-nce  it  was  that 
during  that  period  the  Grand  Lodge  was  without  a  Chaplain.  But  a 
better  time  was  coming.  The  clouds  of  the  ■oil  storu1  were  rapidly  dis- 
persing, and  the  bright  sunny  day  of  prosperity  was  beginning  to  break 
forth. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  26th  of  March,  1841,  but  no 
business  of  importance  was  transacted.  The  work  on  the  building  was 
in  progress. 

Special  Communication  on  the  28th  of  May,  1841.  Bro.  H.  G. 
Street,  the  Grand  Treasurer,  intending  permanently  to  leave  the  State, 
resigned  his  office.  The  resignation  was  accepted,  and  the  Recording 
Grand  Secretary  was  appointed  Grand  Treasurer,  pro  tempore,  until 
the  election  of  a  Grand  Treasurer,  which,  of  course,  did  not  take  place 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  281 

until  the  regular  annual  election.  This  was  the  second  time  that  the 
irregularity  was  committed  of  receiving  the  resignation  of  an  installed 
officer  during  his  time  of  service,  and  it  is  singular  that  in  both  cases 
the  resignation  was  made  by  the  same  person. 

The  Hall  was  now  so  far  completed  that  arrangements  were  made  for 
renting  the  two  stores  beneath. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  25th  of  June,  1841.  The  Grand 
Master  having,  in  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  granted  a  dispensa- 
tion for  the  revival  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  a  new  warrant  was 
ordered  to  be  issued  to  that  Lodge. 

The  first  fruits  of  the  new  Hall  were  about  to  be  received.  The 
Grand  Master  announced  that  one  of  the  stores  beneath  had  been 
rented  for  seven  huudrcd  dollars. 

The  condition  of  Masonry  in  New  York  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  An  illegal  body,  calling  itself  the  u  St.  John's 
Grand  Lodge,"  had  been  organized  there,  aud  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  resolved  that  it  regarded  the  attempted  establishment 
of  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge  as  illegal,  and  its  tendency  subversive  of 
the  principles  of  Freemasonry,  and  that  the  measure  met  the  unquali- 
fied reprehension  of  this  Grand  Lodgn. 

The  representative  system  was  highly  approved  of.  Bro.  John  F. 
Entz  was  appointed  as  the  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  at  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  and  the  Grand  Master  was 
requested  to  appoint  representatives  to  such  other  Grand  Lodges 
throughout  the  Union  as  were  willing  to  reciprocate. 

The  warrant  and  furniture  of  Lodge  No  15,  at  Cheraw,  were 
returned  by  Bro.  Lazarus,  that  L?dge  hiving  become  extinct. 

It  was  resolved  to  have  a  dedication  of  the  Hall  when  completed, 
and  new  clothing  was  ordered  to  be  procured  for  the  procession  on  that 
occasion. 

Special  Communication  on  the  3d  of  September,  1841.  This  must 
have  been  a  glorious  meeting  for  those  who  had  so  long  struggled  to 
procure  a  Masonic  home.  We  can  imagine  their  pride  and  joy  when 
the  Grand  Master  announced  that  the  Hall  was  nearly  completed,  and 
that  the  object  of  his  calling  the  meeting  was  to  obtain  the  action  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  Hall. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Hall  should  be  dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
the  22d  of  September,  but  in  consequence  of  the  condition  of  the 
funds  it  was  determined  to  dispense  with  a  public  procession. 


282  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

It  was  resolved  that  a  committee  of  five  should  be  appointed,  to  be 
called  the  "  Hall  Committee,"  to  whom  should  be  entrusted  the 
management  of  every  thing  counected  with  the  Hall.  A  new  com- 
mittee was  thenceforth  to  be  elected  at  every  annual  election  of  the 
Grand  Officers.  The  committee  were  to  appoint  a  Keeper,  who  was  to 
reside  on  the  premises,  and  prepare  the  rooms  for  the  meetings.  The 
rent  of  Masonic  bodies  was  fixed  at  four  dollars  for  meetings  at  night, 
and  three  dollars  for  those  in  the  d:  y. 

The  eventful  and  interesting  day  of  dedication  had  now  arrived. 
The  hopes  and  fears,  the  successes  and  the  failures,  the  thought  and 
work  of  years  was  at  length  brought  to  a  propitious  termination,  and 
the  Masonic  H.ill  at  the  South-east  corner  of  King  and  Wentwofth 
streets  was  dedicated  in  ample  form,  to  the  uses  of  Freemasonry,  on 
Wednesday  afternoon,  the  22d  of  September,  1841.  So  interesting  an 
event  demands  a  full  record  of  all  the  details  connected  with  it. 

The  spacious  Hall  on  the  second  story  was  filled  with  a  vast  con- 
course of  ladies  and  gentlemen  at  an  early  hour.  At  4  o'clock,  P.  M., 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  South-Carolina,  fully 
clothed,  entered  the  Hall,  followed  by  the  several  Subordinate  Lodges, 
and  the  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  clothed  with  the  decorations, 
and  wearing  the  Jewels  of  their  respective  Orders. 

While  the  Grand  Lodge  was  entering,  and  approaching  the  East,  the 
following  Ode,  written  by  Past  Grand  Master  John  L.  Wilson,  was 
sung,  accompanied  with  instrumental  music,  by  a  number  of  Professors 
and  Amateurs,  who  kindly  volunteered  their  services  for  the  occasion  : 

ODE. 


See  !  see  !  the  sons  of  light 
Array' d  in  jewels  bright, 

How  in  these  courts  they  flow 
The  symbol  banner  see  ! 
It  speaks  of  Masonry, 

Which  only  Masons  know. 

II. 


Sound,  sound  the  tuneful  string  1 
Corn,  oil  and  wine  they  bring, 
Around  the  Lodge  they  go ; 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  283 

Raise  high  the  solemn  note  ! 
Let  it  to  Heaven  float  ! 

This  Uall  shall  shield  from  woe 

in. 

Mark  how  that  aged  man, 
Whose  life  seems  but  a  span, 

The  sacred  pages  bear  j 
The  compass  rests  thereon, 
A  gem  too,  all  should  own, 

The  never  erring  square. 

IV. 

At  earth's  foundation  laid, 
All  tilings  our  Father  made, 

The  prototype  is  here  ; 
Once  strike  aloud  again 
The  soul-inspiring  strain  ! 

Let  music  banish  care. 


Father  in  Heaven,  see  ! 
Thy  children  here  agree  ! 

'Twas  thine  own  wisdom's  plan  ; 
Open  to  every  eye 
The  sacred  pages  lie, 

That  all  thy  truth  may  scan. 


The  Grand  Chaplain  then  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  an  im- 
pressive and  appropriate  prayer,  when  the  following  Invocation  Hymn, 
written  by  Brother  St.  John  Phillips,  M.D.,  Past  Master  of  Lodge 
No.  14,  was  sung  : 

INVOCATION  HYMN. 


Thou  !  who  art  God  alone, 
Accept  before  thy  Throne 
Our  fervent  prayer ! 
To  fill  with  light  and  gracn 


2 £4  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

This  House,  thy  dwelling-place, 
And  bless  thy  chosen  race, 
0  God  !  draw  near  ! 

n . 

As  through  the  universe, 
All  nature's  works  diverse, 

Thy  praise  accord ; 
Let  Faith  upon  us  shine, 
And  Charity  combine, 
With  Hope  to  make  us  thine, 

Jehovah,  Lord  ! 

in. 

Spirit  of  Truth  and  Love  I 
Descending  from  above, 

Our  hearts  inflame  ; 
Till  Masonry's  control, 
Shall  build  in  one  the  whole, 
A  temple  of  the  soul, 

To  thy  great  name  ! 

IV. 

And  whilst  from  altars  rise 
Prayer's  incense  to  the  skies, 

Beneath  this  dome, 
Break  the  oppressor's  rod, 
Hurl  tyrants  to  the  sod, 
And  lead  thy  people,  God  ! 

To  freedom's  home  ! 


Pillar  of  fire  !  illume 
The  journey  to  the  tomb, 

Of  all  distrest ; 
0  !  light  their  darksome  grave, 
Divide  its  surging  wave, 
And  all  the  Brethren  save 

Tn  Heaven's  rest ! 


I.N  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


L'SO 


The  following  address  was  then  delivered  by  Bro.  Albert  Case,  Grand 
Chaplain  : 

Brethren  of  tiie  Craft — 

We  have  assembled  this  day  to  perform  a  pleasing,  a  most  delightful 
duty.  To  dedicate  the  Hall  you  have  erected,  to  universal  philanthro- 
py— to  give  a  local  habitation  to  that  altar,  around  which  au  assembled 
world  of  the  Fraternity  may  unite  in  the  practice  of  the  sublime  vir- 
tues. 

[t  matters  not  to  what  form  of  government  he  is  subject — whether 
under  the  most  despotic,  or  the  most- free;  around  this  altar  he  will  al- 
ways meet  with  a  friend,  protector  and  brother.  Nor  does  it  matter 
whether  he  has  bowed  down  to  idols,  or  false  gods,  with  the  Pagan — 
performed  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  with  the  Mahometan — acknowledged 
no  Divine  laws  but  the  Mosaic — or  kneels  with  the  Christian  to  his 
Father  in  Heaven,  in  thankfulness  for  the  revelations  of  his  Son,  "  sent 
to  turn  away  every  one  from  his  iuiquities."  At  (h's  altar  he  will  be 
received  with  outstretched  arms,  and  every  thrill  of  his  heart  will  be  met 
with  a  responsive  throe  of  sympathy  from  each  and  all. 

Although  our  doors  are  guarded  from  the  intrusions  of  the  curious 
and  the  idle,  as  well  as  the  malicious  assaults  of  those  who  are  ignorant 
of  our  tenets,  yet  the  instant  the  most  humble  and  destitute  of  the  Fra- 
ternity approach  the  hall,  the  drawn  sword  of  the  Tyler  is  the  jegis  of 
his  protection,  and  the  swift  revolving  door  exhibits  to  his  ravished 
eyes,  friends  and  brothers,  ready  to  receive,  and  swift  to  administer  to 
his  every  want. 

It  has  been  matter  of  astonishment  to  many  how  any  society,  con- 
sisting of  such  apparently  discordant  materials  as  compose  the  Masonic 
Fraternity,  has  lasted  so  long,  ami  gives  such  evidence  of  continued 
future  existence. 

When  they  are  told  that  the  passions  engendered  by  the  bickerings 
of  party,  and  the  more  cruel  denunciations  of  theological  sects,  can 
uever  find  admittance  here,  they  will  then  see  much  of  the  fruitful 
sources  of  discord  at  once  dried  up  and  removed.  But,  when  they  are 
informed  that  the  Mason  bows  at  an  altar,  where  Brotherly  Love,  Truth, 
Temperance,  Fortitude,  Prudence,  Justice  and  Charity  unbounded  reign; 
where 

■•  Friendship,  on  wing  etherial  flying  round, 
Stretches  her  arm  to  bless  tlie  hallowed  ground, 
Humanity  well-pleased,  there  takes  her  stand. 


286  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

.  Holding  her  daughter,  Pity,  in  her  hand  : 
Here  Charity,  which  soothes  the  Widow's  sigh, 
And  wipes  the  dew-drop  from  the  Orphan's  eye  ; 
There  stands  Benevolence,  whose  large  embrace 
Uncircumscribed,  takes  in  the  human  race; 
She  sees  each  narrow  tie,  each  private  end 
Indignant — virtue's  universal  friend, 
Scorning  each  frantic  zealot  tool, 
She  stamps  on  Mason's  breasts  her  golden  rule." 

I  say  when  they  are  thus  informed,  there  will  be  no  more  astonishment 
that  our  Society  has  stood,  stands,  and  will  continue  to  stand,  wheu 
selfishness,  hatred,  and  all  base  principles,  shall  dissolve  and  die.  Surely 
there  is  nothing  surprising  in  seeing  every  nation,  sect  and  caste,  pay- 
ing a  deep  regard  and  reverence  for  those  sublime  virtues,  which  are 
universally  admitted  and  admired.  Oh,  no!  It  is  a  matter  of  more 
surprise  that  all  who  know  so  much  of  our  Institution  as  we  are  per- 
mitted to  reveal,  do  not  rush  to  our  Lodges,  to  know  what  other  virtues 
we  teach,  and  what  are  our  incentives  to  the  performance  of  the  high- 
est moral  duties. 

My  Brethren  and  Friends: 

I  will  not  detain  you  a  moment  with  the  antiquity  and  origin  of  our 
Society.  It  matters  uot  whether  the  fanciful  idea  of  Preston,  that  it 
dates  from  creation,  or  the  more  rational  deduction  of  others,  that  it 
was  instituted  at  the  building  of  Solomon's  Temple,  be  correct  or  other- 
wise;  we  know  that  it  is  of  human  origin,  resting  upon  pillars,  without 
which  Heaven  itself  would  fall.  We  know  that  it  ranks  among  the 
most  ancient  and  the  most  honored  of  human  institutions;  it  has  with- 
stood the  assaults  of  European  despotic  tyrants,  and  the  Spanish  Inqui- 
sition; and  in  our  own  free  and  happy  countiy,  the  unbridled  fury  of 
the  ignorant,  and  the  more  artful  falsehoods  and  subtle  insinuations  of 
the  demagogue  have  passed  by,  without  scathing  a  pillar,  or  dimming 
the  lustre  of  our  smallest  light  ! 

The  antiquity  of  the  Institution  affords  abundant  evidence  to  the 
reflecting  mind,  that  the  principles  of  eternal  truth  abide  with  it;  and 
the  great  and  good  that  have  been  its  eulogists,  entitle  it  to  the  respect 
of  all. 

No  other  system  of  ethics  or  philosophy  has  endured  the  test  of 
time,  and  the  finger  of  decay,  like  that  inculcated  within  the  veil  of 
the  Masonic  Temple. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  287 

The  palaces  of  kings  have  been  left  desolate;  whole  cities  have 
crumbled  into  ruin;  fertile  fields  have  been  laid  waste;  nations  have 
gone  to  oblivion,  and  are  numbered  with  the  things  that  were.  Even 
the  noblest  memorials  of  the  skill  of  ancient  craftsmen  have  been  laid 
in  ashes.  The  land  of  Palestine  is  the  land  of  the  tuibaned  Moslem — 
the  glory  of  Moriah,  the  mount  of  God's  owa  temple,  hath  passed 
away;  the  throne  of  Solomon,  so  long  the  wonder  of  the  world,  has 
fallen  down ;  the  beauty  of  its  diadem  has  faded,  its  coronal  is 
withered.  The  seat  of  Tyre's  earthly  glory — that  "  crowning  city, 
whose  merchants  were  princes,  and  whose  traffickers  were  the  honorable 
of  the  earth  ;"  the  birth  place  of  the  '•  widow's  son,"  is  made  a  place 
whereon  the  fishermeu  spread  their  nets.  Babylon,  too,  "the  glury  of 
the  kingdoms,  the  beauty  of  Chaldee's  excellency,"  is  overthrown  —  its 
ban  ucting  halls  are  the  abode  of  reptiles,  and  wild  beasts  howl  in  her 
desolate  places.  Yet  amid  all  this  and  greater  desolation,  Masonry 
still  lives  !     In  the  language  of  a  daughter  of  song,* 

"Crowns  have  grown  play-'hing',  since  first  we  united, 
Glory's  frail  fabrics  have  fallen  to  nought; 
Nations  have  risen,  like  lamps  newly  lighted, 
Then  in  oppression's  dark  mantle  been  caught, 
While  like  a  sunny  till, 
Silent,  yet  gaining  still, 
Deeper  and  wider  our  influence  has  spread; 
Soothing  the  widow's  fears, 
Wiping  the  orphan's  tears, 
Strength  to  the  weak — to  the  fatherless,  bread." 

How  idle,  and  how  impotent  are,  and  ever  will  be,  the  puny  efforts 
of  malice,  or  the  strong  arm  of  power,  against  the  inculcation  and 
practice  of  the  sublime  virtues,  which  have  a  common  God  for  their 
origin,  and  an  unbounded  universe  for  their  temple  ! 

Those  who  are  ignorant  of  the  use  to  which  we  apply  the  ordinary 
implements  of  handicraftsmen,  cannot  be  fully  informed  of  their  use- 
fulness without  initiation.  But  we  all  know  that  the  most  impressive 
mode  of  communicating  knowledge  is  by  the  language  of  symbols. 
The  Bquare  and  the  compasses  which  are  used  by  operative  masons 
convey  no  moral  information  to  the  ordinary  observer,  but  resting  as 
they  arc  upou  that  sacred  volume,  which  is  never  closed  in  our  Lodges, 


•  Mtsa  Mary  E.  Lee,  of  Charleston. 


288  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

they  at  once  teach  the  most  important  and  salutary  lessons  of  our 
duties  to  ourselves,  our  fellow-men,  our  couutry,  and  our  God. 

The  Bible  teaches  us  to  honor  and  adore  the  Almighty  maker  of 
heaven  and  earth,  and  the  existence  of  the  great  Architect  of  the 
Universe  is  solemnly  acknowledged,  and  his  blessing  invoked  in  every 
lawful  convocation  of  the  brotherhood. 

The  truth  of  the  sacred  page  which  informs  us  that  the  eye  of  the 
Omniscient  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps,  is  forcibly  impressed  upon  our 
minds  by  a  prominent  emblem  of  our  Order,  which  instructs  us  that 
the  "all  seeing  eye"  is  upon  us,  and  we  cannot  elude  its  vigils. 

By  one  of  the  implements  which  rests  on  the  open  book,  we  are 
taught  to  square  our  lives  by  the  principles  of  morality  and  virtue, 
and  to  let  our  conduct  be  in  accordance  with  the  immutable  principles 
of  God. 

By  the  other,  we  are  taught  to  compass  our  desires  within  due 
bcunds,  to  circumscribe  our  wants  and  expenditures  within  the  circle 
of  reasonable  duty. 

Who  does  not  see  in  the  level  the  equality  of  our  nature,  the 
guardian  care  of  our  common  Parent,  and  that  all  are  equally  destined 
to  the  grave  !  By  it  we  are  instructed  to  meet  upon  the  level,  to 
acknowledge  no  distinction  save  those  of  merit,  and  to  allow  no 
external  inequality  to  conflict  with  the  obligations  of  brotherly  love. 

Who  does  not  see  in  the  plumb-line  the  symbol  of  an  upright  man, 
and  thereby  receive  instruction  to  walk  uprightly  before  God  and  man; 
in  the  pot  of  incuse,  purity  of  conduct,  and  in  the  beehive  industry? 

The  sword  pointed  to  the  naked  heart,  immediately  below  the  "  all 
seeing  eye,"  cautions  us  to  avoid  transgression  and  sin,  or  certain  pun- 
ishment will  follow  our  demerits. 

The  anchor  and  the  ark,  the  hour-glass  and  the  scythe,  teach  the 
Mason  lessons  of  instruction,  that  are  all  important  to  his  h.  pplness. 

But  I  will  not  fatigue  you  with  a  further  recital  of  our  symbolical 
nomenclature,  which  stands  first  in  the  philosophy  of  language,  and  is 
familiar  to  every  Mason. 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  and  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  : 

The  edifice  whijh  here  has  risen  under  your  inspection — the  Hall, 
set  apart  for  Masonic  purposes,  and  hereafter  to  be  the  seat  of  all  the 
sublime  virtues  which  ennoble  and  adorn  the  character  of  man,  is  now 
entrusted  to  your  faithful  guardianship. 

Your  former  zeal   and  diligence  affords  a  sure  guaranty  that  your 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  289 

duties  for  the  future  will  not  be  neglected.  I  know  they  will  be  done, 
and  well  done  ;  and  I  trust  that  the  "  all-seeing  eye"  which  pervades 
the  inmost  recesses  of  the  heart,  may  look  with  benignity  upon  your 
labors. 

Brethren,  Officers,  and  Members  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  : 

Your  Lodges  are  the  pillars  upon  which  the  Grand  Lodge  rests.  It 
is  by  your  prosperity  and  assistance  they  flourish  and  rise  to  eminence. 
By  your  aid  we  are  provided  with  this  stately  Hall  for  our  future  con- 
venience and  comfort. 

But  above  all  it  is  by  your  good  conduct  that  Masonry  is  to  be  of 
good  report.  Already  has  it  been  viewed  in  an  unfavorable  light  by 
some.  They  have  been  so  uncharitable  as  to  charge  home  upon  Free- 
masonry every  thing  reprehensible  iu  the  conduct  of  Masons  ;  thus 
pretending  that  if  there  be  a  bad  Mason,  the  principles  of  the  Institu- 
tion must  have  base  tendencies. 

But  this  is  manifestly  an  unjust  mode  of  reasoning — it  is  unfair  to 
pronounce  every  system  base,  which  may  have  some  unworthy  men 
attached  to  it.  Bad  men  may,  and  do,  occasionally  gain  admission 
into  our  Lodges,  but  if  they  are  not  rendered  better  thereby,  they  are 
not  worthy  to  be  retained.  Better  to  apply  the  pruning  knife  occa- 
sionally, than  the  whole  body  suffer  from  the  bad  conduct  0/  those  who 
are  unworthy  to  be  called  Masons.  If  our  Order  has  been  disgraced 
by  some,  so  likewise  has  it  been  honored  by  many  great  aud  virtuous 
men,  who  reflect  lustre  on  any  society — whose  actions  even  prejudice 
cannot  censure,  and  whose  virtues  malignity  itself  dare  not  impeach. 
Though  our  Institution  has  suffered  from  the  conduct  of  its  profe-sed 
friends,  though  it  has  been  retarded  in  its  movements  by  enemies  from 
without,  the  night  of  its  sorrow  is  well  nigh  spent,  the  morning  has 
dawned,  and  great  will  be  the  light  of  *he  day. 

Masonry  is  now  rising  from  her  apparent  slumbers,  removing  the 
rubbish  in  the  way  of  her  progress,  the  cloud  that  lowered  o'er  her 
brightness  is  disappearing,  and  she  will  stand  forth  fair  as  the  sun  in 
the  heavens ! 

I  congratulate  you,  my  brethren,  on  the  prospects  of  our  beloved 
Order.  Throughout  our  common  country  an  increasing  interest  is 
mrnifested  in  her  behalf,  and  here,  where  your  former  temple  was  des- 
troyed,*  annther   has  arisen,  a   monument  of  your   devotion  to  Free- 

*  An  allusion  to  the  Hall  which  was  destroyed  by  the  conflagration  of  1888. 
19 


290  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOiNKV 

masonry,  and  an  ornament  to  your  city.  I  trust  the  glory  of  this  latter 
temple  shall  be  greater  and  more  permanent  than  the  glory  of  the 
former. 

The  opposition  has  nearly  ceased,  and  the  desire  cf  the  community 
is,  that  here  you  may  cultivate  and  extend  the  principles  you  hold 
dear. 

You  have  advocates  aside  from  the  members  of  the  Craft — advocates 
whose  intercessions  will  be  heard  and  answered,  for  they  are  the  plead- 
ings of  the  widows  and  orphans,  who  have  been  succored  by  the  hands 
of  Freemasons,  and  who  gratefully  acknowledge  the  beneficial  influ- 
ence of  Masonry. 

I  charge  you,  my  brethren,  that  you  neglect  not  the  practice  of  the 
principles  enjoined  upon  you. 

The  interest  of  the  Craft  is,  in  some  measure,  in  your  hands.  Be 
not  indifferent  thereto,  sully  it  not  by  dissipation  or  vice;  but  let  cau- 
tion guard  you  from  applying  the  means  of  your  Lodges  to  other  than 
Masonic  purposes.  Regulated  by  the  precepts  of  wisdom,  supported 
by  the  strength  of  virtue,  and  adorned  with  the  beauty  of  benevolence, 
your  actions  will  escape  censure,  and  receive  the  approbation  of  the 
wise  and  goad. 

Live  within  the  bounds  of  prudence;  control  the  passions;  keep  a 
tongue  of  good  report;  maintain  truth,  and  practice  charity;  and  you 
will  not  only  display  the  principles  of  the  Order,  but  do  more  to  com- 
mend Freemasonry  than  all  the  arguments  you  can  wield,  or  all  the 
eloquence  of  verbal  panegyric. 

It  is  said  that  when  Alexander  the  Conqueror  was  informed  that  a 
man  in  his  army,  bearing  his  name,  was  a  coward,  he  summoned  him  to 
his  presence,  and  inquired  if  the  charge  was  true.  The  soldier  con- 
fessed his  cowardice;  whereupon  Alexander  ordered  him  to  banish  his 
cowardice  or  change  his  name  :  "For,"  said  he,  "the  name  Alexander 
signifies  a  brave  man,  and  it  is  not  proper  for  a  coward  to  tarnish  it." 
So  we  say,  the  name  Freemason  signifies  a  good  man,  and  if  there  are 
those,  calling  themselves  Freemasons,  who  are  not  influenced  by  the 
principles  of  Masonry — who  constantly  practice  that  she  condemns — 
they  should  alter  their  conduct,  or  cease  to  call  themselves  Masons,  for 
it  is  not  proper  for  men  to  remain  with  us  who  will  not  practice,  in  some 
degree,  the  precepts  of  the  Institution. 

Let  me  entreat  you,  my  brethren,  to  persevere  in  the  diligent  exer- 
cise of  those  virtues  which  you  are  taught  in  your  Lodges.  Masonry 
is  calculated  to  make  a  cood  man  better;  and  none  can  reach  in  an 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  291 

equal  degree  the  highest  point  of  human  perfection,  without  being  a 
Mason. 

May  God  give  you  strength  to  do  all  its  reasonable  requirements. 

Fcllo  w-cilize  n  s — 

Not  of  the  Order  of  Masonry — permit  me  to  render  to  you  our  thanks 
for  honoring  us  with  your  attendance  at  this  time. 

To  the  Jadies,  more  especially,  is  it  incumbent  on  me  to  speak.  In 
behalf  of  the  Fraternity.  /  thank  you  for  your  presence  and  attention. 
'Tis  true  that  the  rules  of  admission  forbid  the  conferring  of  the  de- 
grees of  Masonry  on  woman  ;  not,  however,  from  a  want  of  esteem  for 
her  sex,  or  regard  for  her  influence,  nor  by  reason  of  the  absurd  and 
libellous  assertion,  that  "no  woman  can  keep  a  secret" — but  from  one, 
among  other  reasons,  that  at  the  balding  of  the  Temple  they  did  not 
labor  with  the  Craft — nor  are  they  required  to  do  so  at  this  day,  or  to 
enter  the- lists  in  Legislative  halls-,  or  go  to  the  field  of  carnage  and 
slaughter  in  defence  of  their  country.  No  :  where  Masonry  is  cher- 
ished by  the  other  sex,  there  females  are  saved  from  these,  and  the 
sterner  duties  of  active  life,  and  instead  of  being  the  laborers  and  de- 
fenders, they  are  protected. 

But  there  is  a  higher  and  a  better  reason  why  they  are  not  admitted. 
They  do  not  require  the  incentives,  nay,  the  obligations  of  Masonry  to 
induce  them  to  practice  the  virtues  I  have  spoken  of.  What  Mason  is 
there  who  practices  more  eminently  that  love  which  forgives  injuries, 
or  returns  good  for  evil  than  woman  ?  Where  can  the  repository  of 
truth  so  readily  be  found  as  in  woman  ?  Temperance,  which  is  taught 
and  enforced  upon  man,  is  her  habit.  In  fortitude,  that  which  bearst 
the  ills  of  life  without  repining,  and  undergoes  every  privation  without 
a  murmur — what  man,  nay,  what  Mason  can  equal  woman  ?  Where  will 
you  seek  prudence,  but  in  the  modest  refinements  of  woman?  Justice 
is  wisely  represented  by  a  female  figure,  and  an  even  balance;  aud  Charity 
could  not  be  personified  but  in  the  character  of  helpless  children 
clustering  round,  and  hanging  upon  the  angelic  eyes  of  woman  !  I 
have  said  she  docs  not  require  the  inceutive  that  man  does  to  induce  to 
the  practice  of  the  noblo  virtues,  or  enlist  her  energies  in  the  cause  of 
humanity.  If  more  proof  of  this  fact  were  needed,  we  have  it  in  the 
testimony  of  the  intelligent  Ledyard,  who  had  visited  every  quarter  of 
the  globe,  and  carefully  observed  the  disposition  and  habits  of  both 
sexes.  He  says:  "In  all  countries,  civil  aud  savage,  I  have  found 
man  rudo,  cruel,  and  inhospitable;  but  in  no  country,  savage  or  civil- 


2£2  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ized,  have  I  ever  addressed  woman  in  the  language  of  decency  and  po- 
liteness, but  I  was  responded  to  with  kindness  and  attention."  Who 
then  can  see  the  necessity  or  propriety  of  woman's  taking  upon  herself 
the  obligations  of  Masonry?  Who  does  not  rather  say  that  man,  the 
rough  ashlar,  should  submit  to  artificial  bonds,  and  such  moral  influ- 
ences as  Masonry  exerts,  that  he  may  become  strong  in  moral  principle 
and  the  virtues,  and  active  in  deeds  of  kindness  and  charity,  as  in  wo- 
man ! 

Respecting  the  secrecy  of  our  Order.  The  Great  Architect  of  the 
Universe  reveals  not  all  his  plans  to  us,  but  many  secrets  are  known 
only  to  him.  We  are  permitted  to  know  what  Infinite  Wisdom  sees 
best  for  us  to  understand,  yet  we  know  not  his  design  for  the  morrow, 
or  what  shall  happen  next  month  or  next  year.  Consequently  God  not 
only  possesses  secrets,  but  approbates  secrecy.  And  as  Freemasonry 
is  an  imitation  of  the  creation,  Masons  should  imitate  the  great  Builder, 
by  keeping  some  things  secret;  and  they  have  the  high  sanction  of  the 
Creator  for  the  secrecy  they  require  and  observe !  God  has  revealed 
sufficient  respecting  his  plans,  to  convince  us  that  they  are  founded  in 
infinite  wisdom,  for  the  promotion  of  the  happiness  of  his  children  and 
his  own  glory;  and  enough  of  Masonry  is  divulged  to  satisfy  the  can- 
did mind  that  the  system  is  one  of  wisdom,  benevolence  and  philan- 
thropy, which  promotes  the  purity  and  felicity,  whilst  it  does  honor  to 
human  nature. 

My  Brethren:  Let  us  renewedly  engage  at  the  altar,  that  our  lives 
shall  be  in  accordance  with  our  declared  principles.  Let  us  fulfil  this 
engagement,  that  "our  light  may  shine  before  others,"  until  we  are 
"  called  from  labor  to  refreshment,"  and  a^i  entrance  is  given  us  within 
the  portals  of  the  "Grand  Lodge"  above,  which  hath  no  need  of  the 
sun,  neither  of  the  moon  to  shine  in  it,  for  it  is  lighted  by  the  glory 
of  God  ! 

Go  on,  my  brethren,  in  imitation  of  Him,  who  completed  the  temple 
of  the  universe  !  Go  on  to  further  conquests  in  the  work  of  purity 
and  benevolence,  until  the  great  moral  temple  shall  have  arisen  in  all 
its  glory,  and  the  head  stone  thereof  shall  be  brought  forth  with  shout- 
ings, crying  grace,  grace,  unto  it. 

The  address  was  succeeded  by  the  following  ode,  which  was  also 
written  for  the  occasion  by  Dr.  St.  John  Phillips: 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  298 

ODE. 


At  dawn  of  creation,  when  bright  beams  of  morniug 

Broke  thro'  the  regions  of  chaos  and  night, 
Aud  Angels  rejoic'd  at  the  glory  adorning, 

The  frame-work  of  nature  with  order  aud  light, 

Soon  as  the  brilliant  ray, 

Symbol  of  endless  day  ! 
Suffus'd  with  its  blush  the  earth  and  the  sea, 

Then  on  the  new-born  man, 

Beam'd  the  grand  mystic  plan, 
Of  Masonry's  Orders,  accepted  and  free. 

II. 

From  caves  of  old  oceau,  whose  deep  rolling  fountains 

Gush  where  foundations  of  earth  darkly  lie, 
Grand  columns  rise  into  ice-cover' d  mountains. 
To  prop  up  the  Arch  of  the  star-spangled  sky. 

His  was  the  shrine  of  love, 

Who,  from  Flis  throne  above, 
Ancient  of  Days !  gave  the  sovereigu  decree ; 

And  from  the  corner  stone, 

Were  all  the  virtues  shown, 
Of  Masonry's  Orders,  accepted  and  free. 

in. 

A  cherub  there  came  of  beauty  in  vision, 

Whom  mortals  have  call'd  by  Faith's  holy  name; 
Beside  her  next  stood  Hope,  pure  and  elysian, 
As  ever  appear'd  in  the  first  dream  of  fame : 

And  whilst  Immortals  there, 

Charity,  gracious  fair ! 
Daughter  of  Heaven  !  burnt  incense  to  thee ; 

Swell'd  anthems  glorious  ! 

Triumph  victorious ! 
Of  Masonry's  Orders,  accepted  and  free. 

IV. 

And  here  have  we  built,  as  a  shelter  from  danger, 
A  temple,  to  friendship  and  virtue  combin'd, 


294  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Where  the  Orphan,  the  "Widow,  and  destitute  Stranger, 
A  Mason's  compassion  and  favor  may  find. 

Far  from  deceit  and  art, 

Freely  •with  hand  and  heart, 
Welcome  the  Brother  whoever  he  be  ! 

Here  may  the  pilgrim  guest, 

Find  the  sweet  home  of  rest, 
Of  Masonry's  Orders,  accepted  and  free 

v. 

May  the  Grand  Master  whom,  all  things  possessing. 

The  Heaven  of  Heavens  can  never  contain, 
Crown  this  good  work  with  His  favor  and  blessing. 
And  Charity's  fabric  in  mercy  sustain  ! 

Till  as  the  courses  rise 

Up  to  the  radiant  skies, 
In  that  Grand  Lodge  may  all  mankind  agree; 

And  in  the  reign  of  peace 

Only  with  time  shail  cease, 
Great  Masonry's  Orders,  accepted  and  free. 

The  audience  was  then  dismissed  with  the  usual  benediction,  and 
the  Craft  proceeded  to  the  Lodge  room  alone,  which  being  duly  tiled, 
the  Grand  Master,  Gen.  Edward  H.  Edwards,  delivered  the  following 
brief  address  : 

Brethren  :  Our  new  *'  Masonic  Hall "  being  now  completed,  I 
have  convened  you  for  the  purpose  of  dedicating  it  to  Almighty  God, 
the  Grand  Architect  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  and  to  the  purposes  of 
Freemasonry. 

The  ancient  custom  of  dedicating  or  setting  apart  public  Edifices 
and  Temples  to  the  Supreme  and  Eternal  God,  some  Titular  Saint,  or 
for  public  purposes,  has  existed  for  so  many  centuries  that  its  propriety 
cannot  at  this  time  be  questioned — it  had  its  origin  in  the  early  stages 
of  society,  and  has  prevailed  ia  every  age  and  in  every  country,  and 
though  by  some,  it  may  be  deemed  an  unmeaning  and  useless  cere- 
mony, it  has  not  always  been  unattended  with  beneficial  results.  But 
among  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  the  practice  has  been  universal 
throughout  the  world. 

I  have,  therefore,  under  the  authority  vested  in  me  as  Grand  Master, 
assembled  you  to  ask  your  assistance  on  the  present  occasion,  and  to 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  395 

urge  upon  you  a  strict  adherence  to  those  ancient  rites  and  ceremonies 
transmitted  to  us  by  our  Book  of  Constitution — bearing  in  mind  that 
we  are  members  of  that  .great  mystic  family  among  whom  friendship, 
brotherly  love  and  affection  should  ever  prevail — of  an  Institution 
whose  advantages  you  have  just  heard  so  eloquently  described;  and 
among  whose  members  it  is  our  pride  to  be  enrolled. 

No  societies  have  ever  yet  been  formed  that  could  offer  the  same 
advantages  to  a  community  as  those  of  Freemasons;  existing  exten- 
sively in  both  hemispheres,  they  can  diffuse  knowledge,  science  and 
virtue  through  all  the  world  like  the  glorious  orb  of  day,  whose  cheer- 
ing influence  animates  all  creation.  "Each  Masonic  Government 
regularly  established  is  but  a  part  of  one  great  institution  bound 
together  by  one  fundamental  Constitution,  and  administered  not  only 
for  the  advantage  of  its  own  people,  but  for  the  interest  of  the  whole 
Fraternity."  And  Brethren,  what  object  can  be  more  gratifying  to 
humanity,  what  act  more  acceptable  to  God,  than  a  society  of  benevo- 
lent men,  formed  for  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  distresses  of  their 
follow-men,  for  soothing  the  afHictcd  widow,  and  of  rearing  and  pro- 
tecting the  destitute  orphans  cast  upon  a  cold  world  in  poverty  aud 
woe;  or  opening  the  portals  of  the  unhappy  prisoner,  and  exchan^mjr 
his  loathsome  dungeon  for  the  possession  of  liberty.  Such  are  the 
great  objects  of  the  Society  of  Freemasons,  aud  such  the  principles 
that  should  govern  every  member  of  the  Fraternity. 

In  the  ancient  ceremonies  now  about  to  be  performed,  the  strictest 
propriety  of  behavior  should  be  observed,  for  it  is  the  character  aud 
conduct  of  the  members  of  our  Institution  that  stamp  impressions  on 
the  public  mind.  Let  me  then  entreat  you,  Brethren,  so  to  square 
your  actions  by  the  rules  of  order  and  decorum,  that  we  may  on  this 
occasion  exhibit  to  ourselves  and  to  the  world  at  large  our  devotion  to 
Freemasonry,  our  reverence  for  its  laws  and  institutions,  our  determ- 
ination to  support  its  principles,  and  our  anxious  desire  to  promote  the 
honor,  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  whole  Masonic  family. 

The  new  Lodge  room  was  then  solemnly  dedicated  to  Freemasonry, 
virtue  and  universal  benevolence,  and  the  usual  votes  of  thanks  to  the 
Orator  and  the  choristers  having  been  adopted,  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
closed  in  ample  form. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  24th  of  September,  1841.  A  war- 
rant was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Richland  Lodge  No.  39. 

\  warrant  xnfl  "ranto-i  tr.  Harmony  Lodge  tfo.  17,  at  Barnwell  <\  Tl 


296  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Hall  committee  announced  that  they  had  engaged  "Bro.  John 
H.  Schmidt  as  Hall  Keeper,  with  a  salary  of  twenty  dollars  per  mouth. 

The  store  under  the  south  tenement  was  rented  for  $450,  and  the 
western  tenement  of  the  house  in  the  yard  for  $120  per  annum. 

It  was  resolved  to  have  a  procession  and  address  on  St.  John's  day 
next,  and  a  committee  of  arrangements  was  appointed. 

Special  Communication  on  the  2d  of  October,  1841.  The  use  of 
the  Lodge  room  having  been  rented  to  the  Society  of  Odd  Fellows,  one 
of  whose  organizations  met  on  every  Friday  night,  and  as  the  Quarterly 
Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge  had  always  taken  place  on  the 
third  Friday  of  the  appropriate  month,  it  was  found  necessary  to  make 
some  arrangement  for  obviating  the  interference  of  the  two  bodies 
which  would  thus  take  place.  It  was  therefore  determined,  by  a  vote 
of  24  to  5,  that  the  future  quarterly  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
should  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  December,  March,  June  and 
September,  but  it  was,  at  the  same  time,  resolved  that  no  Society  should 
be  allowed  to  interfere  with  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  St. 
John's  day.  That  day,  at  least,  was  to  be  kept  sacred  from  all  intru- 
sion. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  December,  1841.  The 
annual  election  of  Grand  Officers  took  place,  and  Gen.  Edward  H. 
Edwards  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

From  the  report  of  the  acting  Grand  Treasurer,  it  appears  that  at 
this  time  the  Grand  Lodge  was  indebted  in  the  sum  of  twenty  thou- 
sand one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  with  a  balance  in  the  treasury  of 
five  hundred  and  twelve  dollars,  and  dues  to  it  of  about  two  thousand 
four  hundred  dollars,  of  which  hardly  more  than  three  hundred  could 
be  considered  as  good. 

The  necessity  of  adopting  and  preserving  a  proper  system  of  work 
in  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  was  again  beginning  to  attract  the  attention 
of  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  Lodge  of  Instruction,  to  consist  of  seven  ex- 
perienced Masons,  was  appointed.  This  Lodge  never  acted,  and  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  Grand  Lodge  found  it  subsequently  necessary  to 
adopt  the  old  method  of  a  Grand  Lecturer.  Lodges  of  Instruction  are 
good  for  nothing  but  evil,  unless  there  be  first  some  one  who  can  in- 
struct the  Lodge  of  Instruction. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  were  installed.  A  procession  was  then 
formed,  which  moved  to  the  First  Baptist  Church,  where,  after  odes  by 
the  choir  and  a  prayer  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  an  able  address  was  de- 


IN  SOUTH   CAROLINA. 


297 


livered  by  Bro.  Wm.  H.  Inglesby,  Past  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge 
No.  1.  On  returning  to  the  Hall  the  usual  votes  of  thanks  were  passed. 
Bro.  F.  C.  Barber  was  recognized  as  the  Representative  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York.  The  Grand  Master  appointed  the  following 
brethren  to  compose  the  Lodge  of  Instruction  :  H.  G.  Street  A 
McDonald,  C.  M.  Furman,  St.  John  Phillips,  A.  Case,  J.  H.  Honour; 
aud  G.  B.  Eckhard.     The  Grand  Lodge  partook  of  a  banquet. 


298  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   XXXT. 

THE   YEAR    1S42. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1842  : 

E.  II.  EDWARDS,   Grand  Master; 

W.  B.  Foster,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

T.  A.  HAYDEN,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

J.  W.  Bruen,  Junior  Grand  Warden ; 

Rev.  A.  Case,  Grand  Chaplain; 

J.  H.  HONOUR,  Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  McDonald,  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary ; 

F.  C.  BARBER,  Recording  Grand  Secretary ; 

J.  E.  Odena,  ) 

c  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

F.  Mehrtens,      ") 

T      .     T,r  f  Junior  Grand  Deacons ; 

»J  .    A.    Y\  AGENER,  ) 

Sol.  Moses,  Grand  Marshal ; 

T.  R.  SALTAR,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

T.  C.  Logier,      ") 

a,  W.  Cramer,  j  Grand  Si™ard*i 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  great  amount  of  indebtedness  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  Hall 
which  had  just  been  erected,  made  it  necessary  that  its  officers  and 
members  should  be  continually  active  in  devising  means  for  the  increase 
of  its  funds  and  the  liquidation  of  its  debt.  With  this  view,  there- 
fore, the  Hall  Committee  had  recommended  that  a  Masonic  ball  should 
be  given  on  the  22d  of  February,  the  anniversary  of  Washington's 
birth,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  result  of  the  sale  of  tickets  would 
be  found  profitable  to  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  expecta- 
tion was  generally  entertaiued  by  the  Fraternity,  and  accordingly  it  was 
resolved,  at  a  Special  Communication  on  the  31  st  of  January,  1842, 
that  a  ball  should  be  given  on  Washington's  birth-day,  and  a  Committee 
of  Arrangements  was  appointed  to  carry  the  novel  measure  into  effect. 

Another  matter  of  more  importance  to  the  interests  of  Freemasonry 
than  any  sacrifice  to  the  genius  of  Terpsichore  also  attracted  the  atteu- 


INT  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  299 

tion  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  this  Communication.  The  great  advautage, 
if  not  the  absolute  necessity,  of  having  a  uniform  system  of  work  and 
lectures  throughout  the  United  States  had  always  been  admitted,  and 
from  time  to  time  the  best  mode  of  accomplishing  this  object  had  en- 
gaged the  serious  attention  of  the  Craft  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 
At  length  it  had  been  determined  to  hold  a  convention  at  the  city  of 
Washington  on  the  first  Monday  in  March,  1842.  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina,  whom  we  have  already  seen  occupied  in  various 
efforts  to  secure  a  uniform  mode  of  working  in  its  owu  jurisdiction, 
adopted  at  once  the  proposition  of  some  of  its  sister  Grand  Lodges  to 
hold  a  convention  for  this  purpose  in  the  Federal  city,  and  the  Grand 
Master  was  requested  to  appoint  a  delegate.  In  consequence  the  Hou. 
Isaac  E.  Holmes,  at  that  time  one  of  the  representatives  of  South  Caro- 
lina in  the  national  Congress,  received  the  appointment;  the  selection 
having,  undoubtedly,  been  made  with  consideration  to  his  residence  at 
that  time  in  Washington,  and  the  convenience  with  which  he  could  at- 
tend the  meeting  of  the  Convention.  The  Convention  was  held.  Ten 
Grand  Lodges  were  represented,  South  Carolina  being  oue  of  the  num- 
ber, and  it  was  resolved  that  the  different  Grand  Lodges  should  be  re- 
quested to  appoint  Grand  Lecturers  or  Delegates  to  meet  in  convention 
at  Baltimore  in  May,  1843,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  uniform 
system  of  work. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1st  of  March,  1842.  The  Grand 
Master  was  authorized  in  all  cases  of  suspended  Lodges  to  grant  dis- 
pensations for  their  revival,  and  to  make  the  best  arrangement  in  his 
power  with  regard  to  their  previous  indebtedness  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Several  zealous  brethren,  members  of  different  Lodges,  having 
organized  a  voluntary  Lodge  of  Instruction  for  the  purpose  of  improve- 
ment and  mutual  consultation  in  the  work  of  Masonry,  the  Grand 
Lodge  determined  to  grant  the  gratuitous  use  of  the  Lodge  room  to 
such  members  of  Lodges  as  might  wish  to  meet  for  practice  on  Sunday 
afternoous,  provided  they  would  remunerate  the  Hall  Keeper  for  his 
trouble  in  opening  and  preparing  the  room,  and  also  provided  their 
assembling  did  not  interfere  with  the  meetings  of  any  of  the  Lodges. 
Although  this  grant  was  not  as  liberal  as  it  might  have  been,  yet, 
under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  it  was  thankfully  accepted,  and 
much  good  was  done  by  the  meetings  of  these  brethren,  a  great  deal  of 
information  was  gleaned,  and  a  step  was  taken  in  the  road  to  ultimate 
success  in  the  practice  of  the  ritual. 

Quarterly  Communication  ou  the  7th  of  June,  1842.     The  Graricl 


300  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Treasurer  reported  that  the  net  proceeds  of  the  Masonic  ball  amounted 
to  8262  52. 

The  Grand  Master  having  granted  a  dispensation  for  a  Lodge  in 
St.  Matthew's  Parish,  as  Charity  Lodge,  and  application  having  been 
made  for  a  warrant,  the  warrant  was  declined,  and  the  Lodge  was 
authorized  to  continue  to  work  under  its  dispensation  for  the  present. 
No  reasou  is  assigned  for  this  unusual  act.  The  Lodge  was  subse- 
quently warranted,  and  still  exists  as  Charity  Lodge  No.  02.  The 
singularity  about  this  history  is  that  the  Lodge  seems  to  have  taken 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  word,  and  continued  to  work  under  the  dispen- 
sation for  sixteen  years.  Changes  took  place  in  the  Grand  Secretary- 
ship, the  subject  was  forgotten,  the  Lodge  was  in  a  remote  place,  and 
as  it  made  its  returns  regularly,  precisely  as  a  warranted  Lodge,  it  was 
not  until  the  present  Grand  Secretary  discovered  the  irregularity  that 
it  was  corrected.  In  1858,  a  warrant  was  issued,  and  the  necessary 
fee  was  paid. 

Bro.  T.  A.  Hayden  was  recognized  as  the  Representative  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia.  Bro.  Lucien  La  Taste  was  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Master  as  the  Representative  of  this  Grand  Lodge  at  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Georgia. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  6th  of  September,  1842.  The 
proceedings  of  the  late  Masonic  Convention  at  Washington  were  laid 
before  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  it  was  resolved  that  the  Grand  Lodge 
approve  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Convention  that  Grand  Lec- 
turers should  be  appointed  from  each  of  the  Grand  Lodges  in  the 
Union,  to  meet  in  Baltimore  in  May  next  to  agree  upon  a  uniform  sys- 
tem of  work  for  the  United  States,  and  the  Grand  Master  was 
recpiested  to  appoint  delegates  at  the  Quarterly  Communication  in 
December,  to  represent  this  Grand  Lodge  on  that  occasion. 

In  consequence  of  a  communication  from  Bro.  John  F.  Entz,  the 
Representative  of  this  Grand  Lodge  near  that  of  New  York,  in  relation 
to  certain  irregular  Lodges  existing  in  that  State,  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  a  spurious  Supreme  Council,  it  was  resolved  that  no  brother 
should  be  permitted  to  visit  any  Lodge  in  this  State  who  had  not  been 
raised  in  a  regular  Lodge,  working  under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Grand 
Lodge.  The  phraseology  of  the  resolution  was  confused,  but  the 
evident  spirit  of  it  was  to  deny  the  right  of  any  Lodge  of  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Rite,  whether  regular  or  spurious,  to  exercise  jurisdic- 
tion in  this  State  over  the  three  symbolic  degrees. 

It  was  determined  to  celebrate  the  ensuing  Festival  of  St.  John  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  301 

Evangelist  by  a  procession  and  a  public  address,  and  the  Grand  Master 
was  requested  to  appoint  an  Orator  for  the  occasion. 

Special  Communication  on  the  27th  of  October,  1842.  The  Grand 
Master  announced  that  he  had  appointed  Bro.  Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D., 
Senior  Warden  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  the  Orator  for  St.  John's 
day. 

He  also  announced  that  he  had  appointed  Bro.  W.  H.  Ellis,  Past 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  the  Representative 
of  this  Grand  Lodge  to  that  body. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  6th  of  December,  1812.  A  me- 
morial was  received  from  Soloiion's  Lodge  No.  1,  praying  for  a  reduction 
of  the  fees  for  initiation,  which  was  referred  to  a  committee,  and  the 
Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  furnish  each  Lodge  with  a  copy  of  the 
proposed  scale  of  reduction,  which  was  from  twenty-nine  dollars  to 
twenty,  for  the  three  degrees. 

Heretofore  the  books  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  had,  by  a  regulation  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  been  kept  in  an  exceedingly  complicated  form,  there 
being  no  less  than  three  distinct  accounts  kept  open,  one  for  the  "  Com- 
mon Fund,"  another  for  the  "  Permanent  Fund,"  and  a  third  for  the 
"  Charity  Fund,"  besides  a  fourth  one,  lately  opened,  for  the  "  Masonic 
Hall  Fund."  It  was  now  resolved  that  this  system  should  be  discon- 
tinued, and  that  in  future  the  Graud  Treasurer  should  consolidate  the 
different  funds  and  accounts  into  one  general  fund  or  account,  com- 
prising all  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  committee  on  the  reduction  of  the  fees  for  initiation  was  directed 
to  enquire  into  the  expediency  of  reducing  the  salary  of  the  Grand 
Secretary  and  the  commissions  of  the  Grand  Treasurer.  Economy  was 
now  the  order  of  the  day. 

The  Graud  Master  appointed  Bros.  Albert  Case,  F.  C.  Barber  and 
W.  S.  King,  delegates  to  the  proposed  Masonic  Convention  at  Balti- 
more. Bro.  Case  was,  however,  the  only  one  who  attended  the  meet- 
tog  of  the  Convention. 

Bro.  Case  cave  notice  of  his  intention  to  propose  an  amendment  to 
the  Constitution,  by  which  the  office  of  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary 
should  he  abolished. 

The  Grand  Lodge  entered  into  the  annual  election  of  officers,  whcji 
t'.t-n    Edward  ''.  Kdwards  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

The  Grand  Stewards  were  ordered  to  prepare  a  banquet  for  St.  John's 
day,  to  be  paid  fur  by  the    contributions   of  the    members   who   should 

partake  of  it. 


302  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  An 
indisposition,  which  soon  after  terminated  fatally,  prevented  the  attend- 
ance of  the  Grand  Master  elect,  but  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  elect, 
Bio.  Geo.  B.  Eckhard,  was  installed  by  Bro.  Win.  B.  Foster,  Past 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  when  the  former  installed  the  remaining  officers. 

A  warrant  was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Friendship  Lodge  No.  0, 
in  the  city  of  Charleston. 

A  procession  was  then  formed,  which  moved  to  the  new  Theatre, 
where,  after  prayer  by  Bro.  Case,  Grand  Chaplain,  an  address  was  de- 
livered by  Dr.  Albert  G.  Mackey,  Master  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1. 
The  address  was  subsequently  printed,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  procession  then  returned  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  the  usual 
votes  of  thanks  were  passed,  and  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  was  requested 
to  express  to  the  Grand  Master  the  unfeigned  sorrow  with  which  the 
Grand  Lodge  has  heard  of  his  indisposition,  and  to  carry  to  him  its 
wishes  for  his  speedy  recovery. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  and  publish  a  brief  abstract 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  last  two  years,  but  the  duty  was  never  per- 
formed. The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed,  and  the  celebration  of  the 
day  was  concluded  by  a  banquet. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA;  Ml 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

THE    YEAR    1843. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  184.°> 

Edward  H.  Edwards,  Grand  Master; 

Geo.  B.  EcKHARD,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

J.  C.  Xorris,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

J.  E.  Odena,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Albert  Case,  Grand  Chaplain; 

.1.  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

F.  C.  Barber,  Grand  Secretary; 

A.  J.  Davids,      )         , 
r     t    T1r  i  Seiiwr  Grand  Deacons 

.).  A.  \\  agexer,  ) 

II.  S.  Cohen,  )   T     .     n       ,  n 

7  )■  Junior  brand  Dcacc 


Jcacons ; 


Sol.  Moses,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

i"  Grand  Stewards; 


Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler. 

In  conseqneiice  of  the  anticipated  abolition  of  the  office  of  Corre- 
sponding Grand  Secretary,  it  was  not  filled  at  the  previous  election  in 
December,  1842. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  March,  1843. 

The  warrant  of  Cheraw  Lodge  Xo.  15  was  ordered,  on  the  application 
of  several  of  the  members,  to  be  returned,  and  a  warrant  was  grautcd 
for  DeKalb  Lodge  Xo.  G4,  at  Benncttsville,  in  Marlboro  District. 

Special  Communication  on  4th  of  April,  1843.  Rev.  Albert  Case 
was  recognized  as  the  Representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut. 

An  interesting  question  of  Masouic  jurisprudence  was  presented  to 
the  Grand  Lodge.  One  of  the  rules  of  Lodge  No.  21  debarred  a  mem- 
ber from  voting  at  elections  who  was  twelve  months  or  more  in  arrears. 
.1  allies  X.  Collins,  one  of  the  members  who  had  paid  his  arrears  up  to 
St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  1841,  was  denied  the  right  of  voting  at 
tho  annual  election,  which  took  place  on  the  first  Thursday  in  Decern- 


304  '  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ber,  1842,  under  the  supposed  influence  of  this  rule.  Against  this  de- 
cision of  the  Lodge  Bro.  Collins  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the 
case  was  referred  to  a  committee,  which  committee  made  a  report  at 
this  Communication.  The  report  of  the  committee  contains  the  follow- 
ing reasoning : 

"The  15th  rule  of  the  Lodge  is  perfectly  plain,  and  admits  of  but 
one  construction,  namely,  'that  members  twelve  months  in  arrears  shall 
be,  debarred  voting  or  holding  any  office.'  It  is  equally  plain  and  mani- 
fest that  if  Bro.  Collins  had  paid  hi3  entire  arrears  up  to  St.  John  the 
Evangelist's  day,  1841,  he  could  not  on  the  first  Thursday  in  Decem- 
ber, 1842,  which  was  only  the  7th  day  of  the  month,  be  in  the  position 
of  one  who  came  under  the  application  of  that  rule.  In  other  words, 
being  then  in  arrears  only  for  eleven  months  and  ten  days,  as  is 
proved  by  the  Treasurer's  receipt,  he  could  not  with  any  justice  be 
disfranchised  of  his  right  of  voting,  or  visited  with  a  penalty  intended 
to  be  inflicted  on  those  only  who  were  twelve  months  or  more  in 
arrears." 

This  reasoning  would  appear  to  be  almost  equivalent  to  a  truism,  re- 
quiring no  argument  to  sustain  it,  and  indeed  the  Grand  Lodge  has  sub- 
sequently, in  relation  to  its  own  members,  acted  upon  the  principle  ad- 
vocated by  the  committee,  but  at  that  time  the  Grand  Lodge,  scarcely 
cognizant  of  its  own  prerogatives  and  duties,  was  exceedingly  reluctant 
to  interfere  with  the  internal  discipline  of  its  subordinates,  and  hence 
the  report,  although  not  actually  rejected,  was  quietly  laid  upon  the 
table,  whence  it  was  never  afterwards  called  up.* 

The  committee  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred,  recommended 
a  reduction  of  the  fees  for  initiating,  passing,  and  raising,  from  twenty- 
nine  to  twenty  dollars,  of  which  amount  four  dollars  and  a  half  were 
to  accrue  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  two  dollars  to  the  Tiler  of  the 
Lodge.  The  report  was  adopted,  and  the  fees  reduced,  by  a  vote  of 
24  against  10. 

The  Grand  Secretary  was  required  to  have  the  regular  journal  pre- 
sent at  all  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Fifty  dollars  were  appropriated  towards  defraying  the  expenses  of 

*The  compiler  of  this  history  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  and  the  au- 
thor of  the  report.  He  had,  at  that  time,  been  a  Mason  but  little  more  than 
eighteen  months,  and  this  was  the  first  opinion  he  ever  expressed  on  a  point  of 
Masonic  law.  A  long  experience  since,  and  much  reading,  have  not  inclined  him 
to  doubt  the  views  that  he  has  expressed  in  that  report.  Time  has  only  confirmed 
to  him  their  entire  correctness. 


T\T  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  305 

the  delegate   to  the  Convention  at  Baltimore,  it  being  understood  that 
only  one,  Bro.  Case,  would  go. 

Special  Communication  on  the  15th  of  April,  1843.  It  has  already 
been  seen  that  the  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Edward  II.  Edwards,  had  been 
prevented  by  painful  illness  from  being  present  at  the  celebration  of 
the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist.  To  the  fact  of  his  absence 
on  that  occasion  the  orator  of  the  day  had  alluded,  at  the  close  of  his 
address,  in  the  following  language  : 

"  I  cannot  close  this  brief  address,  without  adverting  with  senti- 
ments of  the  profoundest  regret,  to  the  melancholy  circumstance  which 
deprives  us  on  this  festive  occasion,  of  the  presence  of  our  highly  ven- 
erated Grand  Master.  To  the  dispensations  of  an  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence we  should  always  bow  with  humble  obedience  ;  but  our  resignation 
to  the  will  of  heaven  cannot,  in  this  instance,  but  be  accompanied  with* 
feelings  of  becoming  sorrow.  During  the  many  years  that  he  has  pre- 
sided over  our  counsels  and  directed  our  labors,  his  urbanity,  his  zeal, 
and  his  intelligence,  as  a  man  and  a  Mason,  have  laid  up  for  him  in 
our  hearts  a  fountain  of  love  and  reverence,  that  is  now  poured  forth 
in  the  full  stream  of  sympathy  for  his  pain  and  physical  distress.  Let 
us  devoutly  trust  that  it  may  seem  good  to  the  Supreme  Architect  of 
the  Universe,  speedily  to  restore  him,  with  renovated  health  and 
strength,  again  to  occupy  his  place  among  us." 

But  the  wish  was  a  vain  one;  he  never  rose  from  that  bed  of  illness, 
and  died  on  the  14th  of  the  followiug  April,  and  this  Special  Com- 
munication was  convened  to  pay  the  last  Masonic  honors  to  his  remains. 
A  procession  was  formed,  which  united  with  the  funeral  cortege,  and, 
after  the  rites  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  religion  had  been  performed 
in  St.  Philip's  Church,  the  Masonic  funeral  service  was  read  at  the 
grave  by  the  Grand  Chaplain. 

On  returning  to  the  Lodge  room,  obituary  resolutions  were  adopted. 
The  Grand  Lodge  was  directed  to  be  clothed  in  mourniug  during  the 
remaiuder  of  the  year,  and  the  brethren  of  the  jurisdiction  were  re- 
quested to  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days. 

By  the  death  of  Gen.  Edward  H.  Edwards,  Bro.  Geo.  B.  Eckhard, 
the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  became  the  acting  Grand  Master,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  the  election  in  December. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  6th  of  June,  1843.     On  the  report 

of  a  special  committee  advising  the  change,  the  salaries  of  the  two 

Grand   Secretaries,   the  Corresponding  and  Recording,  were  reduced 

to  fiity  dollars  each  per  annum,  and  the  commissions  of  the  Grand 

20 


396  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Treasurer  to  2 J  per  cent,  for  receiving,  and  the  same  amount  for 
paying  out. 

At  the  suggestion  of  the  same  committee,  the  two  offices  of  Corre- 
sponding and  Recording  Grand  Secretary  were  merged  in  one.  As  it 
had  been  the  special  duty  of  the  former  of  these  officers  to  attend  to 
and  report  on  the  foreign  correspondence  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
duty  was,  of  course,  intended  to  embrace  a  review  of  the  transactions 
of  other  Grand  Lodges,  this  duty,  necessarily,  by  this  change  in  the 
constitution,  devolved  on  the  Recording  Grand  Secretary,  and  ever 
since  that  officer  has,  in  the  Grand  Ledge  of  South  Carolina,  performed 
the  labor  which,  in  most  other  Grand  Lodges,  is  entrusted  to  a  Com- 
mittee of  Foreign  Correspondence.  This  labor  had,  however,  here,  as 
in  other  Grand  Lodges,  been  only  nominally  performed,  and  the  reports 
of  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretaries  seldom  exceeded  a  few  lines  in 
length,  and  did  not  often  contain  more  than  an  acknowledgment  of  the 
receipt  of  transactions  of  foreign  bodies,  with  the  stereotyped  commen- 
tary that  "they  contained  nothing  of  interest  to  this  Grand  Lodge/' 
It  was  not  until  the  year  1845,  that  any  report  of  length,  or  any 
synopsis  of  foreign  transactions,  was  made  by  the  Grand  Secretary. 

Richland  Lodge  No.  39  this  year  dedicated  its  Hall,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  received  an  invitation  to  attend,  which  it  was  not  convenient  to 
accept.  The  Grand  Tiler  was  however  sent  to  Columbia  with  the 
furniture,  jewels  and  clothing  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  assist  in  the 
celebration. 

The  same  Lodge,  having  expelled  one  of  its  members  for  gross 
immoral  conduct,  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  permission  to  publish 
the  fact  in  the  public  journals.  The  Grand  Lodge  left  this  to  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Lodge. 

Bro.  Case,  the  Delegate  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Convention  of 
Grand  Lecturers  at  Baltimore,  having  returned,  appeared  before  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  made  a  verbal  report  of  the  transactions  of  that 
Convention.  He  then  delivered  the  lecture  on  the  first  degree,  and 
explained  the  mode  of  opening  and  closing,  as  adopted  by  that  body. 

The  whole  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  seven,  who  were  to  ex- 
amine the  Baltimore  system  of  work,  and  report  at  a  subsequent  meeting. 

Of  the  Baltimore  Convention,  and  of  the  "  Baltimore  work,"  so 
much  was  said  at  the  time,  and  so  much  continues  even  now  to  be  said 
in  some  parts  of  the  country,  that  a  few  words  of  explanation  will  not, 
perhaps,  be  deemed  improper.  A  great  deal  of  Masonic  learning  was 
undoubtedly  assembled  on  that  occasion,   and  there  was  certainly  a 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  -)Q^ 

display  of  a  generous  and  zealous  feeling  to  make  compromises  in 
matters  which  were  not  essential,  and  by  diligent  inquiry  to  obtain  and 
adopt  that  form  of  work  which  would  be  most  consistent  with  the 
ancient  landmarks.  The  President  of  the  Convention,  himself  an 
able  and  distinguished  Mason,  and  a  gentleman  of  education  and 
general  intelligence,  gave  his  testimony  to  this  effect,  when  he  said,  in 
his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia,  that  "in  the  truest  spirit 
of  Masonic  feeling,  each  delegate  advancing  to  the  holy  altar  of  (ruth 
and  harmony,  thereon  deposited  his  local  prejudices  and  predilections, 
determined  to  effect  that  uniformity  so  essentially  necessary  to 
characterize  our  time-honored  Institution,  and  to  secure  to  its  professors 
its  inestimable  advantages  throughout  the  civilized  world."  I  fear, 
however,  that  the  spirit  of  compromise  was,  before  the  close  of  the 
Convention,  carried  to  an  unwarrantable  extent,  and  that  in  some 
instances  the  spirit  of  truth  was  sacrificed  to  the  love  of  harmony. 
All  who  were  members  of  that  Convention  were  of  course  possessed  of 
equal  authority,  but  all  were  not  equally  learned,  nor  all  equally  im- 
pressed with  the  Masonic  abhorrence  of  innovation.  It  is  certain,  and 
I  speak  here  meo  periculo,  for  at  that  time  I  carefully  examined  the 
work  as  reported  by  Bro.  Case  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
that  in  some  very  essential  points  important  innovations  were  admitted, 
which,  when  the  Convention  adjourned,  were  not  acceptable  to  some  of 
the  delegates,  and  which  it  was  admitted  at  the  time,  were  innovations 
to  be  received  with  reluctance  and  in  the  spirit  of  improper  compro- 
mise. Hence,  the  work  did  not  long  preserve  its  identity,  and  having 
been  received  in  many  places  with  dissatisfaction,  it  was  soon  neglected 
or  improved,  or  at  least  altered,  so  that  in  a  few  years  the  "Baltimore 
work"  became  invested  with  a  sort  of  mythical  character,  aud 
although  we  now  and  then  hear  a  lecturer  or  teacher  declaring  that  he 
is  in  possession  of  the  "  Baltimore  work,"  we  are  inclined  to  think 
that  he  is  laboring  under  a  delusion,  and  view  his  pretensions  as  we 
would  those  of  the  alchemists  of  old,  who  claimed  to  be  in  possession 
of  the  universal  menstruum. 

But  there  is  another  circumstance  to  which  we  must  attribute  in 
part  the  failure  of  the  Baltimore  Convention  to  perpetuate  its  system. 
Webb,  and  afterwards  Cross,  were  not  content  to  inculcate  the  systems 
they  had  adopted  by  merely  oral  instruction.  They  knew  that  for  a 
successful  propagation  and  continuation  of  the  esoteric  ritual  which 
they  taught,  there  must  be  a  tangible  foundation  on  which  it  might 
rest,  and  which  would  be  so  closely  connected  with  it  that  the  one 


f.OS  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

could  not  be  removed  while  the  other  should  last.  This  foundation 
they  made  to  consist  of  the  Monitors  or  Text  Books  which  each  of 
them  compiled.  The  Monitor,  therefore,  of  Webb,  serves  as  an  index 
to  the  whole  of  his  system.  It  gives  just  so  much  of  the  exoteric 
teaching,  and  interweaves  it  so  closely  with  the  esoteric  instruction,  that 
one  who  has  once  acquired  the  ritual  of  Webb  can  always  preserve  its 
essentials,  because  he  will  always  be  reminded  of  them  by  the  arrange- 
ment of,  and  the  allusions  in,  the  text  book.  The  members  of  the 
Baltimore  Convention  were  not  ignorant  of  the  necessity  of  a  text 
book  which  might  in  future  be  referred  to  as  the  exponent  of  the 
system  which  had  been  adopted,  and  accordingly,  Bros.  John  Dove,  of 
Virginia,  C.  W.  Moore,  of  Massachusetts,  and  S.  W.  B.  Carnegy,  of 
Missouri,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  and  publish,  in  the 
name  of  the  Convention,  "  a  Trestle  Board  or  Hieroglyphic  Monitor, 
which,"  said  Bro.  Dove,  "should  reflect  the  true  woik."  After  a  time 
the  well-known  "Trestle  Board"  of  Bro.  Moore  appeared,  but  Dr. 
Dove,  the  chairman  of  the  committee,  at  once  declared  in  the  most 
solemn  manner  that  this  book  contained  "scarcely  one  feature  to  be 
recognized  as  having  the  most  remote  resemblance  to  the  work  of  the 
Convention  as  agreed  upon."*  The  correctness  of  this  charge  has,  I 
think,  never  been  satisfactorily  disproved,  and  by  almost  general  con- 
sent, Moore's  "Trestle  Board,"  however  it  may  be  valued  for  its  own 
merits  as  a  monitorial  instructor,  is  not  considered  as  an  exponent  of 
the  Baltimore  work. 

With  acknowledged  innovations,  with  forced  compromises,  and 
without  a  text  book,  the  attempt  of  the  Baltimore  Convention  to  pro- 
duce a  uniform  system  of  work  in  the  United  States  has  proved  a 
signal  failure.  Only  seventeen  years  have  elapsed  since  its  adoption, 
and  yet  it  is  doubtful  whether  there  are  two  men  now  living  in  the 
United  States  who  could  agree  as  to  what  that  work  was.  It  has 
already  gone  into  the  region  of  Masonic  myths. 

In  South  Carolina  it  has  been  seen  that  when  the  work  was  submitted 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  by  its  delegate  to  Baltimore,  it  was  referred  to  a 
special  committee  for  further  examination.  That  committee  consisted 
of  Alex.  McDonald,  St.  John  Phillips,  J.  H.  Honour,  R.  W.  Cogdell, 
W.  S.  King,  W.  W.  Kunhardt  and  A.  G-.  Mackey.  The  committee, 
or  at  least  a  majority  of  it,  was  very  patient  and  thorough  in  its  inves- 
tigations.    Bro.  McDonald,  the  chairman,  was  very  well  acquainted 

*  Dove's  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia,  11th  December,  1843. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  SOd 

with  the  system  taught  by  John  Barker,  a  system  derived  indirectly 
from  that  of  Webb,  and  differing  in  no  essential  particular  from  the 
"Webb  work,"  and  which  having  been  taught  by  Barker  in  the  juris- 
diction, in  1825,  and  for  some  years  afterwards,  had  always  since  been 
recognized  as  the  work  of  South  Carolina.  The  comparison  of  the  Bal- 
timore work,  as  reported  by  Bro.  Case,  proved  it  to  be,  in  many  es- 
sential points,  so  different  from  that  of  Barker,  and  therefore  of  Webb, 
and  the  innovations,  which  it  was  candidly  acknowledged  had  been  ad- 
mitted, were  of  so  objectionable  a  character,  that  the  committee,  after 
mature  deliberation,  determined  to  report  against  it.  But  a  feeling  of 
delicacy  towards  Bro.  Case,  who  had  labored  diligently  to  bring  this 
work  home,  and  who,  having  taken  a  somewhat  prominent  position  in 
the  Convention,  was  unwilling  to  see  a  condemnatory  report  made  in 
offensive  terms,  led  the  committee  to  soften  and  modify  their  report, 
so  as  that,  while  rejecting  the  work,  they  might  save  the  feelings  of 
those  who  were  disposed  to  favor  it.  The  committee,  therefore,  after 
stating  that  they  could  uot  come  to  any  satisfactory  conclusion,  begged 
on  the  14th  of  October,  1843,  to  be  discharged,  which  being  done,  a 
resolution  was  proposed  by  Bro.  McDonald  to  the  effect  "that  the  work 
adopted  by  the  Masonic  Convention  at  Baltimore  is  so  similar  to  that 
which  has  been  used  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  for  years  past,  that  it  is  un- 
necessary to  adopt  it.*  To  this  resolution  was  appended  another,  "that 
a  committee  be  appointed  to  revise  the  work,  in  which  the  Lodges  were 
instructed  by  the  Grand  Lecturer,  Bro.  Barker,  aud  that  they  recom- 
mend such  persons  as  may  be  competent  to  instruct  the  Lodges,  from 
among  whom  the  Grand  Lodge  may  make  a  selection." 

Both  resolutions  were  adopted.  The  Baltimore  work  was  thus  vir- 
tually rejected,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  go  back  to  its  old 
work,  as  taught  by  Barker,  and,  from  that  day  to  this,  the  "Baltimore 
work"  has  never  been  heard  of  in  this  jurisdiction. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  September,  1843.  It  was 
determined  to  celebrate  the  approaching  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evan- 
gelist by  a  public  address,  aud,  of  course,  a  procession,  and  Dr.  John  B. 
Irvine;  was  elected  the  Orator  for  the  occasion. 


*  The  resolution  was  intended,  in  a  spirit  of  very  liberal  interpretation,  to  mean 
that  tin"  similarity  existed  only  in  those  parts  in  which  the  innovations  of  the  Con- 
vention had  not  been  intruded.  Rigidly  construed,  the  resolution  did  not  express 
the  real  sentiments  of  the  committee.    But  the  reason  has  been  explained. 


310  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Special  Communication  on  the  9th  of  September,  1843,  when  Bro. 
Case  exemplified  the  second  and  third  degrees  according  to  the  work  of 
the  Baltimore  Convention.     This  subject  has  already  been  fully  treated. 

Special  Communication  on  the  14th  of  October,  1843.  It  was  at 
this  meeting  that  the  quietus  was  given  to  the  "Baltimore  work,"  as 
has  already  been  described. 

Special  Communication  on  the  18th  of  November,  1843.  No  busi- 
ness of  permanent  interest  was  transacted.  An  invitation  was  received 
from  St.  John's  Mark  Lodge  No.  1,  in  the  city,  to  be  present  at  the  de- 
livery of  a  discourse  on  the  death  of  the  late  Bro.  J.  L.  Wood,  to  be 
delivered  by  Bro.  A.  G.  Mackey,  the  R.  W   Master  of  that  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  December,  1843.  The 
special  committee  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred,  reported  that 
they  had  agreed  on  a  system  of  work,  and  recommended  Bro.  Albert 
Case  as  a  fit  person  fur  the  office  of  Grand  Lecturer.  But  the  Grand 
Lodge  took  no  action  on  either  the  report  or  the  recommendation.  The 
work  adopted  by  the  committee  was  essentially  the  same  as  that  taught 
by  Barker,  and  ever  since  has  been  the  system  recognized  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  did  not  go  into  an  election  of  Grand  Lec- 
turer, because  Bro.  Case  did  not  desire  the  appointment,  and  no  other 
person  was,  at  that  time,  both  qualified  for  and  willing  to  take  it. 

The  Grand  Lodge  entered  into  the  annual  election  of  Grand  Officers, 
and  Bro.  George  B.  Eckhard  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

La  Candeur  Lodge  No.  36,  a  Lodge  working  in  the  city  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  in  the  French  or  Modern  Rite, 
and  in  the  French  language,  had,  a  short  time  previously,  elected  a 
candidate  who  was  the  son  of  one  its  members,  but  only  eighteen  years 
of  age,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  Lewis  or  Louveton,  that  is,  the 
son  of  a  Mason,  and,  therefore,  by  the  usages  of  the  French  Rite,  en- 
titled to  initiation  when  he  had  arrived  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  On 
being  informed  of  the  circumstances,  and  before  the  Lodge  had  pro- 
ceeded to  initiation,  the  acting  Grand  Master  issued  his  precept,  pro- 
hibiting the  Lodge  from  proceeding  further  in  the  business  until  the 
Grand  Lodge  could  make  its  decision.  At  this  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  the  subject  was  brought  up  by  the  report  of  the  acting  Grand 
Master,  and  it  was  declared  that  "  it  is  contrary  to  the  usages  of 
Ancient  Freemasonry  as  practiced  in  this  State,  and  in  direct  contra- 
vention of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  initiate 
any  person  who  has  not  arrived  at  the  full  age  of  twenty-one  years." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;!j  1 

La  Candeur  Lodge  yielded  with  submission  to  the  expressed  will  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  no  attempt  has  ever  since  becu  made  in  the  jurisdic- 
tion to  initiate  a  " Lou ve ton." 

One  of  the  Lodges  having  applied  for  the  information,  was  informed 
ibat,  by  the  usual  custom,  a  candidate  is  rejected  on  receiving  two 
black  balls.  Such  was,  unfortunately,  the  fact.  At  that  time,  and 
long  after,  it  was  the  usage  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  require  two  black 
balls  to  reject.  But  as  this  is  iu  violation  of  oue  of  the  ancient  regu- 
lations, and  is  certainly  calculated  to  impair  the  harmony  of  the  Lodge, 
it  has,  of  late  years,  been  discouraged,  and  the  constitution  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  now  requires  a  unanimous  vote  for  admission. 

Special  Communication  on  the  20th  of  December,  1843.  During 
the  late  elections  in  the  city  Lodges,  all  of  whom  were  in  the  habit  of 
electing  their  officers  at  the  stated  Communication  preceding  the  Fes- 
tival of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  a  circumstance  had  occurred  which 
required  the  interposition  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  In  one  of  the  Lodges 
a  brother  who  had  never  served  in  the  office  of  Warden,  iu  either  that. 
or  any  other  Lodge,  was  elected  Master.  But  as  the  election  was  not 
a  case  of  true  emergency,  since  at  least  one  of  the  Past  Masters  had 
been  willing  to  serve  if  elected,  the  Grand  Lodge  determined  that  the 
election  was  "  contrary  to  the  requirements  of  the  Ahiman  Rezou," 
and  a  dispensation  was  therefore  issued  authorizing  and  directing  the 
Lodge  to  proceed  to  a  new  election,  which  was  accordingly  done. 

Another  subject  of  local  law  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  By  the  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  no  one  was  capable  of 
membership  in  that  body,  and,  as  a  consequence,  of  holding  office,  unless 
he  had  been  a  Past  Master  for  twelve  months.  At  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing on  the  5th  December,  1843,  one  who  had  been  a  Master  of  a 
Lodge  since  the  preceding  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  and  who  con- 
sequently would  not  technically  have  been  in  possession  of  the  Past 
Master's  degree  for  twelve  months  until  the  next  Festival  of  St.  John, 
was  not  only  elected  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  also  imme- 
diately afterwards  a  Grand  Officer.  At  the  present  meeting  a  friendly 
protest  was  entered  by  one  of  the  members  against  this  latter  election, 
in  consequence  of  the  ineligibility  of  the  person  elected  to  hold  office, 
until  after  St.  John's  day.  The  irregularity  was,  however,  candidly 
admitted,  and  the  protest  was  theu  withdrawn,  the  protestant  stating 
that  uhc  had  no  other  object  in  view  than  to  prevent  such  irregularity 
in  future."  The  Grand  Lodge  subsequently  healed  the  irregularity  by 
installing  the  officer 


312  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Sometime  in  the  course  of  the  present  month  a  person  of  the  name 
of  E.  S.  Wood  presented  himself  to  some  of  the  Lodges  in  the  city, 
having  in  his  possession  a  certificate  signed  by  a  Sovereign  Grand  In- 
spector of  the  38d  degree  in  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  and 
stating  that  the  said  Inspector  had  communicated  the  symbolic  degrees 
to  Mr.  Wood,  in  the  city  of  Havana,  in  Cuba,  under  the  authority 
•which  he  possessed  as  a  member  of  the  33d  degree.  On  his  applica- 
tion to  La  Candeur  Lodge,  he  was  admitted  as  a  visitor,  but  on  subse- 
quently applying  to  visit  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  he  was  rejected, 
nor  would  the  committee  consent  to  give  him  an  examination.  On  this 
Mr.  Wood  made  a  complaint  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  it  was  resolved 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  could  not  recognize  Mr.  E.  S.  Wood  as  a  Mason, 
he  being  illegally  made,  and  that  he  cannot  be  considered  as  such  until 
regularly  initiated,  passed  and  raised,  in  a  legally  constituted  Lodge. 
La  Candeur  Lodge  was  also  censured  for  having  admitted  a  visitor 
without  his  having  presented  a  Grand  Lodge  certificate,  or  undergone 
a  proper  examination. 

Special  Communication  on  the  23d  of  December,  1843.  The  Grand 
Lodge  modified,  in  some  measure,  its  objections  to  the  legality  cf  the 
initiation  of  Bro.  Wood,  by  declaring,  that  should  any  Subordinate 
Lodge  confer  the  degrees  gratuitously  upon  him,  that  in  that  case,  the 
Grand  Lodge  will  remit  its  fees  due  for  such  initiation. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Craft  assembled  on  the  morning  of  the  27th.  The  Grand  Master  elect 
was  installed  by  Bro.  W.  S.  King,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and 
then  the  former  installed  the  remaining  officers.  A  procession  was 
then  formed,  which  moved  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  where, 
after  prayer  by  Bro.  J.  H.  Honour,  acting  as  Grand  Chaplain,  and 
the  singing  of  appropriate  odes,  an  address  was  delivered  by  Dr.  John 
B.  Irving,  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

The  procession  then  returned  to  the  Hall,  where,  after  the  usual 
votes  of  thanks  to  the  orator,  the  musicians  and  others,  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  closed. 

In  the  evening  the  celebration  of  the  day  was  concluded  by  many  of 
the  brethren  partaking  of  a  supper,  which  had  been  prepared  for  the 
occasion. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  313 


CHAPTER    XXXYIL 

THE    YEAR     1844. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1844  : 

Gr.  B.  ECKHARD,   Grand  Master  ; 

James  C.  Norris,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

John  B.  Irving,  M.D.,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

W.  S.  King,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

J.  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary  ; 

11.  S.  Cohen,       1 

T     .     T,T  f  senior  Grand  Deacons ; 

J.  A.  Wagener,  )  ' 

J.  A.  Davids,  \         . 

r  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

James  S.  Burges,  Grand  Marshal; 
T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 
W.  C.  Gatewood,  } 
JohnEwan,  J  Grand  stewards; 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  29th  of  January,  1844.  This  meet- 
ing was  called  to  receive  the  full  report  of  the  Committee  on  Work. 
Bro.  Case  took  the  chair  as  Master,  and  Bro.  McDonald  assumed  the 
portion  of  Senior  Warden,  and  exemplified  the  work  and  lectures  of 
the  three  degrees,  when  the  same  was  adopted  "as  the  ancient  work 
practiced  in  this  State."  That  is  to  say,  for  the  subject  should  not  be 
misapprehended,  the  work  exemplified  by  Bros.  Case  and  McDonald 
was  admitted  to  be  not  new  work  to  be  approved,  but  the  old  system 
which  had  been  taught  by  Bro.  Barker,  and,  therefore,  no  change  was 
made  in  the  work  to  be  henceforth  practiced  in  the  jurisdiction.  Bro. 
McDonald  was  a  man  of  much  intelligence,  of  great  Masouic  expe- 
rience and  of  retentive  memory,  and  he  had,  at  one  time,  been  thor- 
oughly conversant  with  the  Barker  work.  Undoubtedly  he  may  have 
committed  a  few  errors,  for,  in  the  lapse  of  time  since  he  had  had  the 
opportunity  of  the  personal  instructions  of  Barker,  he  may  have  for- 


314  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

gotten  some  slight  portions  of  the  ritual,  but,  on  the  whole,  he  was  at 
that  time  the  most  competent  and  reliable  instructor  in  the  old  work 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  could  obtain,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  in  all 
essentials  there  was  no  variation  between  the  work  presented  on  this 
evening  to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  that  which  always  heretofore  had  been 
practiced  in  the  jurisdiction. 

A  motion  was  then  made  that  the  Grand  Lodge  should  proceed  to 
the  election  of  three  Grand  Lecturers,  the  consideration  of  which  was 
postponed  to  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  March,  and  Bro.  Case 
was  requested  to  lecture  to  the  Lodges  in  the  city  until  a  Grand  Lec- 
turer should  be  appointed. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  March,  1844.  Communi- 
cations were  received  from  Bros.  John  Dove  and  C.  W.  Moore,  in  re- 
lation to  the  "Trestle  Board,"  published  by  the  latter,  and  which  the 
former  asserted  was  not  a  true  exposition  of  the  work  of  the  Baltimore 
Convention,  a  charge  which  the  latter  as  strenuously  denied.  As  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  declined  to  adopt  this  system,  and  had  gone  back  to 
its  own  work,  it  was  considered  that  the  question  was  dow  of  no  interest 
in  this  jurisdiction,  and  both  the  communications  were  laid  upon  the 
table. 

The  Baltimore  Convention  had  earnestly  recommended  "the  several 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union  to  unite  in  sending  a  delegate  from  the 
Masonic  Fraternity  in  the  United  States  to  their  brethren  in  Europe, 
with  a  view  to  lay  the  foundation  of  such  an  intercourse  hereafter  as 
should  promote  a  universal  language  and  work,  and  extend  the  blessiugs 
of  the  Order  far  beyond  its  present  range."  This  recommendation  had 
been  warmly  seconded  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  which  had 
expressed  its  willingness  to  appropriate  a  sum  of  money  to  defray  its 
part  of  the  expenses  of  such  a  delegate,  provided  the  other  Grand 
Lodges  would  join  in  the  undertaking.*  This  proposition  was  laid 
before  the  Grand-Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  referred  to  the  Grand 
Officers  "to  report  as  soon  as  convenient  on  the  proposed  measure." 
No  report  was,  however,  ever  made,  and  the  subject  was  allowed  quietly 
to  expire  by  default. 

A  warrant  of  Constitution  was  granted  to  Horry  Lodge  No.  65,  at 
Conwayboro. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  June,  1844.     Warrants  of 


*  Proceedings  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  1844;  page  60. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  315 

constitution  were  issued  for  the  revival  of  Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11, 
at  Winnsboro,  Concordia  Lodge  No.  50,  at  Edgefield  Court  House,  and 
Clinton  Lodge  No.  60,  at  Marion  Court  House. 

A  member  of  one  of  the  Lodges  having  been  expelled  by  his  Lodge, 
official  information  of  that  fact  had  been  communicated  to  the  Grand 
Secretary,  and  by  him  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  5th  of  September, 
1843,  and  the  information  immediately  extended  to  the  other  Grand 
Lodges  through  their  Grand  Secretaries,  of  whom  one,  who  was  also 
the  editor  of  a  Masonic  magazine,  had  published  the  notice  in  his  jour- 
nal. On  the  9th  of  September  the  expelled  Mason  had  appealed  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  on  the  5th  of  December  he  was  reinstated  by 
his  Lodge.  Subsequently  he  complained  to  the  Grand  Lodge  that  bis 
expulsion  had  been  published  in  a  magazine,  and  demanded  redress 
therefor.  The  subject  having  been  reported  on  by  a  committee,  the 
Grand  Lodge  determined  that  the  Grand  Secretary,  in  extending  the 
notice  of  the  expulsion  to  the  different  Grand  Secretaries,  "had  acted 
strictly  in  the  performance  of  a  duty  required  by  rule." 

Intelligence  having  been  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York,  through  its  Representative,  of  the  death  of  Morgan  Lewis, 
Grand  Master  of  that  jurisdiction,  appropriate  resolutions  of  sympathy 
and  condolence  were  adopted. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Walhalla  Lodge  No.  66,  in  the  city  of 
Charleston,  with  permission  to  work  in  the  German  language,  provided 
it  kept  a  copy  of  its  records  in  English,  and  worked  agreeably  to  the 
system  which  had  been  recently  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Convention  held  at  Washington  in  March,  1842,  had  suggested, 
as  an  additional  safeguard  against  the  abuse  of  Masonic  principles, 
that  the  Grand  Lodges  should  advise,  if  they  did  not  deem  it  necessary 
to  require,  their  subordinates  to  demand  certificates  of  the  good  stand- 
ing of  strange  brethren,  which  certificates  were  to  emanate  from  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  jurisdiction  from  which  such  strangers  might 
hail.  This  suggestion  was  earnestly  recommended  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Fraternity,  and  on  being  brought  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina,  it  was  declared  that  the  system  had  already  been 
adopted,  and  had  long  existed  as  a  standing  regulation  of  that  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  Baltimore  Convention  had  adopted  a  series  of  rules  for  the 
organization  and  establishment  of  a  triennial  Grand  Convention  of 
Freemasons,  which  was  to  consist  of  one  Representative  from  each  of 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States,  and  which  was  to  have  the 


•316  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOXRY 

power  of  settling  a  uniform  mode  of  work,  and  of  deciding  all  ques- 
tions of  difference  between  two  or  more  Grand  Lodges  which  should  be 
submitted  to  its  arbitration  by  the  parties  interested.  The  subject  was 
brought  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  but  the  proposi- 
tions were  rejected. 

The  Grand  Lodge  refused  to  concur  in  the  resolution  of  the  Balti- 
more Convention  which  recommended  the  taxation  of  unaffiliated 
Masons. 

The  Baltimoi'e  Convention  had  declared  that  in  its  opinion  a  Subor- 
dinate Lodge  had  not  the  right  to  try  its  Master,  but  that  he  is 
amenable  to  the  Grand  Lodge  alone.  A  motion  was  made  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  that  this  opinion  met  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  One  would  suppose  that,  on  this  almost 
elementary  principle  of  Masonic  law,  there  could  be  no  difference  of 
opinion.  It  was,  however,  proposed  by  an  over  cautious  member  that 
it  should  be  made  the  special  order  for  the  September  Communication. 
At  that  Communication  the  special  order  was  not  taken  up,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  gave  no  opinion  on  the  subject.  It  has,  however,  ever 
since  practically  expressed  its  concurrence  in  the  doctrine,  and  it  would 
be  considered  as  a  great  violation  of  Masonic  jurisprudence  in  South 
Carolina  were  any  Lodge  to  attempt  to  exercise  jurisdiction  over  its 
Master. 

The  proposition  that  had  been  offered  at  a  previous  Communication 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  should  proceed  to  elect  three  Grand  Lecturers, 
was  taken  up  and  modified  so  that  the  Grand  Master  was  requested  to 
appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  act  as  Grand  Lecturers  until  the 
annual  election  in  December,  whereupon  the  Grand  Master  appointed 
the  following  committee  of  Grand  Lecturers :  Albert  G.  Mackey, 
Alexander  McDonald  and  John  B.  Irving. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  September,  1844.  The 
Grand  Master  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  fact 
that  one  of  the  by-laws  of  Walhalla  Lodge  No.  66  was  in  these  words 
in  reference  to  the  petition  of  a  candidate  for  initiation:  "A  com- 
mittee of  three  shall  be  appointed,  who  shall  report  on  his  letter  at  the 
next  regular  meeting,  or  sooner  if  required."  It  was  determined  that 
the  by-law  should  be  altered  so  as  to  read  "  who  shall  report  on  his 
letter  at  the  next  regular  meeting,  or  sooner  if  a  transient  person ." 
It  is  evident  that  this  was  a  case  of  inadvertence.  The  ancient  regu- 
lations as  well  as  the  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina 
had  provided  that  the  month's  enquiry  into  character  could  only  be 


IN  £OUTII  CAROLINA.  ;;17 

omitted  upon  the  dispensation  of  the  Grand  Master,  but  here  it  was 
left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Lodge.  Since  then  the  Grand  Lodge  has 
been  more  rigid  in  its  observance  of  the  law,  and  in  manv  instances 
has  stricken  out  of  the  by-laws  of  its  subordinates  the  very  words  which 
on  this  occasion  it  permitted  and  even  required. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Spartan  Lodge  No.  70,  at  Spartanburg 
Court  House. 

The  Grand  Lodge  refused  to  grant  relief  to  the  widow  of  an  un- 
affiliated Mason. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  St.  John's  day,  and 
a  committee  appointed  to  select  an  Orator. 

Special  Communication  on  the  26th  of  November,  1844,  to  consider 
a  question  of  Masonic  jurisprudence.  A  candidate  had  been  rejected 
in  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  by  two  votes,  and  at  a  subsequent  Com- 
munication his  petition  had  been  reconsidered,  and  he  had  been  elected. 
One  of  the  members  who  had  deposited  a  black  ball,  protested  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  against  this  action  of  the  Lodge.  On  the  motion  of  the 
Grand  Secretary  this  protest  was  dismissed.  There  is  no  doubt,  and  I 
now  candidly  admit  it,  that  the  Grand  Secretary  was  entirely  wrong  in 
making  such  a  motion,  for  the  Lodge  was  clearly  in  error.  So  strongly 
was  the  Grand  Master  of  this  opinion,  that  he  solemnly  protested 
against  this  decision,  "  inasmuch  as  the  procedings  of  Lodge  No.  10 
were  a  violation  of  the  Ancient  Landmarks."  Subsequently  one  of 
the  members  who  had  deposited  a  black  ball  withdrew  it,  and  the  can- 
didate was  initiated.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  whole  proceeding  was 
wrong,  and  that  Bro.  Eckhard  was  right  in  declaring  it  a  violatiou  of 
Masonic  law. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  December,  1844.  At  this 
Communication  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  was  adopted,  divid- 
ing the  State  into  five  Districts,  and  placing  over  each  a  District  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  who  was  to  be  either  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or 
a  representative  of  one  of  the  Lodges,  and  whose  duty  it  was  to  visit 
the  Lodges  in  his  district,  and  to  decide  all  appeals  until  the  decision 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  could  be  obtained.  This  was  a  favorite  project  of 
the  Grand  Master,  and,  in  deference  to  his  opinion,  the  amendment 
was  adopted,  but  the  District  Deputies  were  never  appointed,  and  the 
amended  law  fortunately  never  went  into  operatiou.  At  a  subsequent 
general  revision  of  the  Constitution,  it  was  omitted.  As  a  matter  of 
curiosity  we  may  record  the  manner  in  which  the  State  was  divided. 


31S  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Northern  District  comprised  Pickens,  Anderson,  Greenville, 
Spartanburg,  Union,  York,  Chester,  Laurens  and  Abbeville. 

The  Eastern  comprised  Marlboro',  Lancaster,  Chesterfield,  Darling- 
ton, Sumter,  Marion,  Williamsburg,  Horry  and  Georgetown.  % 

The  Western  comprised  Edgefield,  Barnwell  and  Orangeburg. 

The  Southern,  Beaufort  and  Colleton. 

The  Central,  Bichland,  Kershaw,  Newberry,  Lexington  and  Fair- 
field. 

Charleston  was  without  a  District  Deputy,  because  the  Grand  Master 
would  there  preside  in  person.  It  was  at  that  time  a  fixed  idea  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  that  the  Grand  Master  must  always  be  a  resident  of  the 
city. 

A  motion  for  the  election  of  a  Grand  Lecturer,  made  by  Dr.  Irving, 
was  referred  to  the  Grand  Officers  to  enquire  into  its  expediency. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Bro.  John  B.  Irving,  M.D.,  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
brethren  proceeded,  in  the  evening,  from  the  Lodge  room  to  the  Hall 
below,  where,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  spectators,  the 
officers  were  installed.  Bro.  Eckhard,  Past  Grand  Master,  installed 
Bro.  John  B.  Irving,  the  Grand  Master  elect,  who  then  installed  the  re- 
maining officers,  after  which  an  address  was  delivered  by  Bro.  John 
E.  Carew,  a  member  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1. 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  returned  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  the  usual 
votes  of  thanks  were  passed. 

Notice  was  given  that  the  Grand  Officers  would  meet  the  Masters 
and  Wardens  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  Lodge  room,  on  every 
Sunday  afternoon,  for  the  purpose  of  instructing  them  in  the  work. 

.The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed,  and  the  celebration  of  the  day 
was  concluded  by  a  banquet. 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  319 


r  CHAPTER  XXXYTTT. 

THE   TEAE    1845. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1845 : 

John  B.  Irving,  M.D.,   Grand  Master; 

James  C.  Norris,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

F.  C.  Barber,  Senior  Grand   Warden; 

A.  E.  Miller,  Junior   Grand   Warden  ; 

J.  H.  HONOUR,  Grand   Treasurer; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

II.  S.  Cohen,  }   e    .     n       ,  n 

'  \  pernor  Grand  Deacons  ; 

S.  J.  Hall,     j 

Z.  B.  Oakes,       )    t     •      r>       j   n 

'       \  Junior  Grand  JJcacons ; 

S.  Frankford,   ) 

N.  Levin,  Grand  Marshal ; 

T.  R.  SALTAR,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

W.W.KUNHARDT,|  Gmnd  Stewardg. 

Samuel  Seyms,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  19th  of  February,  1845.  The  Grand 
Lodge  was  called  thus  early  together  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  last 
tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Bro.  George  B.  Eckhard,  who  died 
on  the  17th  instant.  A  funeral  procession  was  then  formed,  which  re- 
paired to  the  residence  of  the  deceased,  and  thence  (having  united 
with  the  other  Societies)  proceeded  with  the  body  to  the  German 
Lutheran  Church,  where,  after  divine  service  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bach- 
man,  the  Brethren  assembled  around  the  grave,  and  paid  the  last  honors 
of  Masonry  to  their  departed  Brother. 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  returned  to  the  Hall,  where  suitable  resolu- 
tions of  regret  were  adopted. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  March,  1845.  The  neces- 
sity of  devising  some  means  of  communicating  the  system  of  work  to 
the  Subordinate  Lodges,  had  been,  for  a  long  time,  attracting  the  attention 
of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  various  methods  experimentally  adopted,  of 
appointing  a  committee  of  Grand  Lecturers,  and  afterwards  of  estab- 


320  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

lishing  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  had  all  signally  failed.  The 
subject  had,  at  length,  been  viewed  in  its  proper  light,  and  the  gen- 
eral impression  now  prevailed  that  the  only  mode  whk-h  promised  any 
success,  was  to  have  recourse  to  the  old  usage,  and  to  give  the  appoint- 
ment of  Grand  Lecturer  to  a  competent  brother,  who  would  be  both 
willing  and  able  to  perform  the  important  duty.  But  that  nothing 
might  be  done  in  a  hurry,  at  a  previous  Communication  the  whole  mat- 
ter had  been  referred  to  the  Grand  Officers.  At  this  Communication 
they  made  their  report,  which,  after  some  modifications  in  respect  to 
the  pecu  iary  compensation,  was  adopted  as  follows  : 

"The  Grand  Officers,  to  whom  were  referred  the  resolutions  on  the 
subject  of  the  appointment  of  a  Grand  Lecturer,  beg  leave  respectfully 
to  report ': 

"That  they  have  given  to  the  subject  the  attentive  consideration  its 
importance  demands,  and  in  so  doing  have  become  convinced  that  the 
revival  and  prosperity  of  the  Order  in  this  State  seem  to  require  the 
appointment  of  such  an  officer. 

"They  also  think,  that  in  view  of  the  collections  that  may  be  made 
by  the  said  officer  from  defaulting  Lodges,  now  dormant,  whose  returns 
may  be  adding  to  the  annual  income  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  body  is 
fully  warranted  in  offering  to  the  said  officer  a  moderate  compensation 
for  his  services.  They,  therefore,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  will  proceed  to  the  election  of  a 
Grand  Lecturer,  whose  duties  shall  be  as  follows : 

"  He  shall  visit  all  the  Lodges  in  this  State  at  least  once  in  every 
year,  and  as  much  oftener  as  may  be  found  practicable.  He  shall  in- 
struct them  in  all  such  matters  as  may  be  conducive  to  the  harmony, 
unity,  and  good  government  of  the  Masonic  family.  At  every  such 
visit  he  shall  lecture  in  one  or  more  of  the  three  degrees  of  Ancient 
Freemasonry,  and  give  such  explanations  of  our  rites,  ceremonies  and 
customs,  as  shall  demonstrate  the  excellence  and  usefulness  of  the  Ma- 
sonic institution.  He  shall  explaiu  the  constitutions  of  the  Order,  and 
the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  so  as  to  promote  a  uni- 
formity of  principle  and  operation  in  the  several  Lodges  in  this  State. 

"  He  shall  also  collect  such  sums  of  money  as  may  now  be  due  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  from  the  different  Lodges  in  the  l^tate,  and  pay  the 
same  over  to  the  Grand  Treasurer.  He  shall  also  use  all  proper  exer- 
tions to  revive  those  Lodges  that  have  been  dormant,  and  to  extend  the 
prosperity  and  usefulness  of  the  Order  throughout  the  State. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  321 

"Tie  shall  receive  annually  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  a  compensa- 
tion for  these  services,  at  the  rate  of  $300  per  annum,  u :i t i I  next  St. 
John  the  Evangelist's  day,  and  such  other  sums  as  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  may  see  fit  to  contribute." 

This  report  was  adopted,  and  it  was  also  resolved  that  before  entering 
on  his  duties  the  Grand  Lecturer  elect,  should  enter,  pass  and  raise  a 
candidate  in  open  Grand  Lodge,  aceording  to  the  work  that  had  been 
recently  adopted,  and  from  which  work  he  was  in  no  manner  whatever 
to  deviate  in  his  instructions  to  the  Lodges. 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  the  Grand  Lec- 
turer, when  Bro.  Albert  G.  Mackey  was  elected. 

At  a  Special  Communication  on  the  29th  of  March,  Bro,  Mackey 
exemplified  the  work  in  the  first  degree,  when  on  motion  of  Bro.  Yeadon 
he  was  approved  and  accepted  as  Grand  Lecturer,  and  his  salary  wis 
ordered  to  commence  from  that  night. 

At  a  Special  Communication  on  the  5th  of  April,  1845,  the  Grand 
Lecturer  exemplified  the  work  in  the  second  and  third  degrees,  when 
it  was  resolved  "  that  the  Grand  Lecturer  be  made  known  throughout 
the  State,  and  United  States,  by  a  legal  certificate  signed  by  the  Grand 
Master,  and  Senior  and  Junior  Grand  Wardens;  and  that  he  proceed 
forthwith  to  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  uuder  this  Grand  Lodge,  to  lec- 
ture and  instruct  the  same." 

Thus,  after  about  seventeen  years  of  various  attempts  made  to  devise 
a  system  of  instruction  for  the  Subordinate  Lodges,  the  Fraternity  found 
themselves  compelled  to  go  back  to  that  old  and  only  good  one,  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  Grand  Lecturer. 

As  this  may  be  considered  a6  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  jurisdiction, 
for  the  want  of  instruction  had  certainly  crippled  the  zeal  and  impaired 
the  popularity  and  influence  of  the  Order  in  the  State,  just  as  the  diffu- 
sion of  true  Masonic  ideas  soon  excited  a  just  enthusiasm,  and  elevated 
the  character  of  the  Institution,  it  will  be  well  to  see  what  was  the 
condition  of  Masonry  in  the  jurisdiction  at  the  time  that  the  Grand 
Lecturer  began  his  labors. 

There  were,  at  this  time,  in  the  city  the  following  Lodges,  all  actively 
at  work  :  Solomon's  No.  1,  Union  Kilwinning  No.  4,  Washington  No. 
5,  Friendship  No.  9,  St.  Andrew's  No.  10,  Orange  No.  14,  Pythago- 
rean No.  21,  LaCandeur  No.  36,  and  Walhalla  No  06.  In  the  coun- 
try the  following  were  in  operation  :  Harmony  Lodge  No.  12,  at 
Branch ville J  Harmony  No.  17,  at  Barnwell  Court  House;  Harmony 
No.  20,  at  Edisto  Island  ;  Kershaw  No.  29,  at  Camden  ;  Richlaud  No. 
21 


322  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

39,  at  Columbia;  "Winyah  No.  40,  at  Georgetown  ;  Concordia  No.  50, 
at  Edgefield  Court  House;  Clinton  No.  00,  at  Marion  Court  [louse; 
Harmony  No.  61,  at  George's  Station;  Charity  No.  62,  at  St.  Matthew's 
Parish  ;  Horry  Lodge  No.  65,  at  Conwayboro,  and  Harmony  No.  67,  at 
Hamburg.  Clinton  No.  o,  at  Abbeville,  was  in  existence,  but  scarcely 
more  than  alive,  although  it  has  since  become  the  mother  of  many 
Lodges  in  the  upper  country.  The  Lodges  at  Bennettsville  and  Wal- 
terboro  were  actually  defunct.  So  that  there  were  nine  Lodges  in  the 
city,  and  twelve  only  in  all  the  rest  of  the  State.  But  of  these  twelve, 
several  were  in  an  exhausted  and  almost  dying  condition,  though  all 
of  them  subsequently  recuperated  and  became  prosperous. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  17  having,  by  means  of  the  subscriptions  of  a, 
joint  stock  company,  succeeded  in  erecting  a  handsome  and  commo- 
dious Hall  in  the  village  of  Barnwell,  invited  the  Gr^nd  Lodge  to  be 
present  and  assist  in  the  dedication.  This  invitation  was  accepted,  and 
Special  Communication*  were  holden  on  the  10th  and  15th  of  May, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  arrangements. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1845,  the  Grand  Master,  accompanied  by  a 
large  number  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  pro- 
ceeded in  the  rail  cars  to  Blackville,  and  thence  by  carriages  to  Barn- 
well, where  on  the  20th  an  occasional  Grand  Lodge  w:is  opened,  and 
a  procession  formed,  which,  in  company  with  Ledge  No.  17,  repaired 
to  the  flail,  where,  af  er  a  discourse  by  Bro.  A.  P.  Aldiich,  Past  Mas- 
ter of  Lodge  No.  17,  the  Nail  was  solemnly  dedicated. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  June,  1845.  Notices  were 
received  from  Lodges  No.  5  and  21  that  memlers  had  been  in  the  for- 
mer Lodge  expelled  from  the  Lodge,  and  in  the  other,  suspended  from 
the  Lodge,  tor  non-payment  of  arrears.  These  letters  were  laid  on  the 
table,  in  consequence  of  the  equivocal  character  of  the  notices,  which 
did  not  specify  whether  the  defaulters  had  been  suspended  or  expelled 
from  membership  or  from  Masonry.  A  resolution  was  then  propused, 
and,  after  being  postponed  until  the  next  Communication,  was  at  that 
time  adopted,  declaring  "  that  the  penalty  of  expulsion,  for  non-pay- 
ment of  arrears,  is  abrogated  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  the  only 
punishment  hereafter  to  be  inflicted  for  such  defalcation  shall  be  a  dis- 
charge from  membership  of  the  Lodge."    . 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas,  pro- 
posing the  appointment  of  Representatives  between  the  two  Grand 
Lodges.  The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  E.  II.  Tarrant  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  liepreseutative  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  near  the  Grand 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  323 

Lodge  of  Texas,  and  John  S.  Cogdell  was  suggested  as  a  proper  person 
to  represent  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas.  But  the  subject  was  not 
prosecuted  by  either  party,  and  neither  of  the  Representatives  was  ever 
subsequently  recugnized. 

A  communication  was  road  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  in 
relation  to  the  constitution  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  when  it  was  resolved,  that  "in  the  opinion  of  this  Grand 
Lodge,  it  is  inexpedient  to  form  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  as  they  believe  the  present  Representative  System  aid  the 
triennial  Meeting  of  the  Grand  Lecturers  are  sufficient  for  all  purposes 
for  which  the  formation  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  is  intended." 

This  was  rather  an  unmeaning  excuse,  when  it  is  recollected  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  also  repudiated  the  system  of  these  triennial  meet- 
ings of  Grand  Lecturers. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  September,  1845.  The  Hall 
Committee  reported  that  by  adhering  to  its  present  policy,  the  Grand 
Lodge  would  be  able  from  the  income  of  the  building  to  pay  off  both  the 
interest  and  principal  of  the  mortgages  upon  the  Hall. 

It  wis  at  this  Communication  that  the  regulation  already  alluded  to, 
which  abrogated  the  penalty  of  expulsion  for  non-payment  of  dues,  was 
adopted. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  December,  1815.  The  debt 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  now  in  a  fair  way  to  be  reduced  to  a  little  over 
fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Supreme  Council  of  the 
33d  degree  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  for  the  Southern  juris- 
diction of  the  United  States,  announcing  the  active  existence  of  that 
body,  and  giving  a  list  of  its  officers. 

On  an  examination  of  the  by  laws  of  Walhalla  Lodge  No.  6  J,  the 
Grand  Lodge  decided  that  the  appointment  of  new  officers,  not  men- 
tioned in  the  Ahiman  Rexon,  is  unknown  to  the  usages  of  the  Craft  in 
the  State,  as  also  the  holding  of  Lodges  of  discipline,  to  which  none 
Lut  members  c<  uld  be  admitted,  Both  these  provisions  in  the  by-laws 
of  the  Lodge  were  objected  to. 

Since  1830  no  abstract  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  had 
been  published.  It  was  now  determined  that  this  publication  should 
be  resumed,  and  accordingly  the  transactions  for  the  year  1^45  were 
subsequently  printed. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist. 


321:  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

For  the  first  time  since  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  a  crit- 
ical and  analytical  report  of  the  foreign  correspondence  was  presented 
by  the  Grand  Secretary.  This  usage  has  ever  since  continued,  the 
Grand  Secretary  acting  as  a  Committee  of  Foreign  Correspondence,  in 
view  of  the  duties  he  is  called  upon  to  discharge  as  the  representative 
of  the  Corresponding  Grand  Secretary,  recognized  by  the  former  regu- 
lations, and  which  office  was,  iu  1844,  merged  in  that  of  the  Recording 
Secretary. 

The  annual  election  of  officers  took  place,  and  James  C.  Norris  was 
elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  In 
the  evening  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  on  the  first  degree,  a  usage 
that  had  always  been  observed  in  this  jurisdiction.  The  Grand  Master 
elect  was  installed  by  Bro.  J.  J.  Alexander,  Past  Grand  Master,  and 
the  former  then  installed  the  other  officers.  There  was  neither  pro- 
cession nor  address,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  being  closed,  the  brethren 
partook  of  a  banquet. 

Masonry  was  at  this  time,  not  only  in  this  jurisdiction  but  through- 
out the  Union,  in  a  progressive  condition  that  was  highly  flattering  to 
its  friends.  Among  the  evidences  of  the  elevation  of  the  character  of 
the  Institution,  were  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which  abstract  questions 
of  Masonic  jurisprudence  and  topics  of  general  policy  were  beginning 
to  be  considered  by  the  various  Grand  Lodges.  During  the  past  year 
the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  had  animadverted, 
in  censurable  terms,  upon  the  "  practice  pursued  among  many  Lodges, 
in  different  parts  of  the  country,"  of  admitting  temporary  residents  to 
the  Order,  and  that,  tuo,  without  inquiry  into  the  character  of  the  ap- 
plicants, further  than  it  may  happen  to  be  known  at  the  places  of  such 
"  temporary  residence."  On  this  subject  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ala- 
bama directed,  on  occasion  of  all  such  applications,  that  the  Secretary 
of  the  Lodge  to  which  the  candidate  has  applied,  should  write  for  in- 
formation to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  State  from  which  he  comes — 
an  excellent  regulation,  and  one  which  it  would,  perhaps,  be  wise  in 
every  Grand  Lodge  to  adopt. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  went  still  further,  and  decided  that  per- 
sons residing  under  that  jurisdiction,  who  wilfully  and  knowingly  ob- 
tained the  degrees  of  Masonry  in  a  foreign  jurisdiction,  should  not  be 
regarded  as  Masons. 

The  subject  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  during  the  year  1845  occu- 
pied   the  attention   of  the  Masonic   Fraternity.     Some  Grand  Lodges 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  325 

were  favorable  to  a  such  a  measure,  while  others  opposed  it.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  expressed  au  opinion  adverse  to  the 
establishment  of  such  an  institution. 

The  representative  system,  which  had  been  adopted  by  this  Grand 
Lodge,  was  condemned  by  at  least  two  of  the  most  intelligent  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  Union — those  of  Virginia  and  Maryland. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama  adopted  a  resolution,  "  that  being 
maimed,  as  by  the  loss  of  a  leg  or  au  arm,  does  not  disqualify  a  man 
from  receiving  the  degrees  in  Masonry."  This  was  an  important  inno- 
vation upon  the  Landmarks  of  the  Order,  and  generally  met  with  the 
unqualified  disapprobation  of  the  most  intelligent  Masons  of  America. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  year  IS 45,  the  prospects  of  the  Institution 
in  South  Carolina  were  highly  auspicious,  and  full  of  the  most  consol- 
ing hope.  The  Lodges  throughout  the  State,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
were  reviving  from  a  sleep  which  for  some  years  had  paralyzed  their 
energies.  The  hours  of  labor  were  now  well  occupied  in  improving, 
beautifying  and  strengthening  the  Institution.  There  can  indeed  be  no 
doubt,  that  the  number  of  initiations  within  the  twelve  mouths  of 
1S-A5,  greatly  exceeded  those  occurring  iu  a  similar  period  for  many 
previous  years. 


326  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   XXXIX. 

THE    YEAR    1846. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1846; 

J.  C.  Norris,  Grand  Master  ; 

F.  C.  Barber,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 

A.  E.  MlLLER,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

J.  E.  Ol)ENA,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

J.  II.  Honour,  Grand 'Treasurer ; 

A.  G.  Mackey,  M  D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

Z.  B.  Oakes,  \        . 

o    T    u  f  Senior  brand  Deacons ; 

o.  J     11 ULL,       J 

'  [Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

J.  Colling  wood,    ) 

N  Levin;  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  11.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

A.Lipman,  ) 

T   Swift      J  "rfln"  Stewards; 

S.  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler. 

Special  Communication  on  the  19th  of  January,  1846.  Several 
brethren  being  desirous  of  increasing  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
proposed  for  that  purpose  to  give  a  Masonic  ball  on  the  22d  of  Febru- 
ary, under  the  patronage  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  proposition  was  ac- 
cepted, and  it  was  determined  at  this  meeting  that  the  ball  to  be  given 
should  be  called  "  A  Grand  Masonic  Ball,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,"  and  that  the  Grand  Master  should 
appoint  the  Senior  and  Junior  Managers. 

The  ball  was  given  at  Hibernian  Hall,  and  every  exertion  was  made 
to  give  it  eclat.  But  the  pecuniary  results  were  unfavorable.  The 
Grand  Lodge  received  <is  its  profits  only  the  sum  of  831,  and  from  that 
time  it  has  never  again  entered  into  such  speculations.  This  was  the 
last  ball  given  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  complaint  having  been  made  by  J.  Hopkins  against  Winnsboro' 
Lodge  No.  11,  that  it  had  refused  to  grant  him  a  demit,  and  a  letter 
having  also  been  received  from  the  Lodge,  iu  which  it  is  stated  that  oo 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  S27 

the  application  of  Bio.  Tlopkina,  his  case  hail  been  rererrcd  to  a  com- 
mittee, wliieli  ''ad  reported  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  grant,  a  demit,  at 
the  same  time  that  the  committee  declined  to  prefer  charges  against 
him,  the  Grand  Lodge  pissed  an  order  that  Lodge  No.  11  should  either 
grant  him  a  demit  or  prefer  charges  against  him  in  the  usual  and  regu- 
lar manner.  Subsequently,  Bro.  Hopkins  petitioned  Solomon's  Lodge 
No.  1  for  affiliation,  and  Lodge  No.  1 L  having  not  yet  in  the  follow- 
ing March  complied  with  the  requisition  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  was 
further  resolved  that  if  Lodge  No.  11  did  not  prefer  charges  against 
Hopkins  within  three  months,  Solomon's  Lodge  should  be  permitted  to 
act  on  his  petition  without  the  presentation  of  a  demit  from  No.  11. 

Lodge  No.  30,  at  Frazerville,  was  permitted  to  remove  from  that 
place  to  Abbeville  Court  House,  where  the  Lodge  has  ever  since  re- 
mained. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  March,  1816.  An  impor- 
tant action  was  taken  on  the  subject  of  the  right  of  visitation.  Bro. 
L.  W.  Sass  had  preferred  a  complaint  against  the  Master  of  Lodge  No. 
21  lor  refusing  him  admission  to  the  Lodge  of  which  he  was  a  member. 
The  circumstances  of  the  case  are  so  well  narrated  by  the  committee 
to  whom  the  Grand  Lodge  had  referred  the  complaiut,  that  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  use  their  own  words: 

"  One  of  the  by-laws  of  Lodge  No.  21  declares  that  any  member 
over  twelve  months  in  arrears  shall  be  su-pended,  unless,  under  certain 
specified  circumstances,  the  Lodge  shall  determine  otherwise  When 
the  preseut  Master  was  installed  into  office,  he  ascertained  that  several 
members  were  in  arrears,  some  for  more  than  six  years,  and  others  for 
a  shorter  peiiod.  Among  these  wa*  Brother  Sass,  who  owed  for  two 
years.  The  Master,  desirous  of  discharging  his  duty  iu  accordance 
with  his  obligation,  brought  this  subject  before  the  Lodge  in  January 
last,  when  the  names  of  the  delinrpucnt  members  were  read.  Thi-  was 
continued  to  be  done  until  the  liegular  Communication  iu  May,  when 
several  members  were  suspended,  the  complainant  being  one.  The  Sec- 
retary was  directed  to  inform  the  suspended  members,  that  if  payment 
was  not  made  within  ten  days,  their  names  should  be  reported  to  the 
Grand  Lodge.  Brother  Sass  did  not  avail  himself  of  the  time  allowed, 
and  was  accordingly  reported.  In  June  he  attended  at  the  Lodge 
room,  and  paid  his  due*  to  the  Secretary  before  the  opening  of  the 
Lodge,  and  remained  after  it  was  opened.  A  candidate  was  to  be 
balloted  for,  and  the  Secretary  called  the  names  of  the  members,  as  is 
usual,  omittiug  Brother  Sass.     After  the  others  had    voted,  Brother 


328  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Sass  approached  the  ballot  bos,  and  was  about  to  deposit  his  ballot, 
but  was  informed  that  he  had  no  right  to  vote,  being  a  suspended 
member.  He  persisted,  however  in  depositing  his  ballot,  and  the  Mas- 
ter ordered  a  new  ballot  to  be  entered  into.  Brother  Sass  again  per- 
sisted in  his  light  to  vote — addressed  the  chair  in  improper  Lnguage, 
and  was  called  to  order.  He  obeyed  the  call,  but  shortly  after  rose 
again,  and  commenced  a  strain  of  remarks  which  induced  the  Master 
again  to  call  him  to  order.  The  Master  claimed  the  support  of  the 
Lodge,  and  a  resolution  was  unanimously  passed,  declaring  that  Bro. 
Sass  should  not  again  be  permitted  to  enter  the  Lodge  until  his  caso 
should  be  properly  investigated  ;  he  claiming  to  be  a  member,  and  the 
Master  declaring  that,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  parsed  at  the 
previous  Communication,  he  was  suspended  from  membership.  Direc- 
tions were  accordingly  given  to  the  Tiler  uot  to  admit  Brother  Sass  at 
the  nest  Communication,  which  direction  was  obeyed,  and  for  this,  the 
complaint  is  brought  by  Brother  Sass  against  the  Master. 

"  Having  reported  the  facts  in  the  case,  the  committee  have,  perhaps, 
done  all  that  was  required  of  them  by  their  appointment.  They  will, 
however,  take  the  liberty  of  adding,  that  in  their  opinion  the  W.  M. 
of  Lodge  No.  21  was  justifiable  in  refusing  to  admit  Brother  Sass  into 
the  Lodge  while  under  suspension.  The  fact  of  his  having  paid  his 
duis  did  not  amount  to  a  reinstatement  without  a  vote  of  the  Lodge  to 
that  effect,  after  he  had  been  regularly  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
as  s  spended. 

"  '1  he  committee  therefore  recommend  that  the  complaint  be  dis- 
misred." 

The  report  was  adopted  and  the  complaint  dismissed. 

About  this  time  several  brethren,  having  become  impressed  with  the 
advantages  which  might  be  derived  from  the  establishment  of  a  "  Ma- 
sonic Mutual  Beliet  Association,"  in  which  the  members,  by  the  pay- 
ment of  a  certain  amount  of  dues  while  in  health,  woi:ld  bo  entitled 
to  a  weekly  stipend  when  sick,  or  to  the  expenses  of  burial  if  they 
died,  proposod  the  subject  to  the  consideration  of  the  Grand  Officers. 
They  never  made  a  report,  but  several  meetings  of  many  members  of 
the  Order  were  held,  which  eventually  resulted  in  the  organization  of 
the  "  Masonic  Benevolent  Society,"  an  institution  which  still  esists  in 
a  flourishing  condition,  and  of  which  several  prominent  persons  in  the 
Order  have  been  and  still  are  members. 

The  term  of  service  for  which  Bro.  A.  G.  Mackey  had  been  elected 
as  Grand  Lecturer   having   expired,  he  was,   on   motion,   appointed 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  329 

permanently  as  Grand  Lecturer  of  the  State,  and  duly  installed  as 
such. 

Special  Communication  on  the  21st  of  April,  1846.  Herr  Alexan- 
der, a  professor  of  the  art  of  legerdemain,  but  a  man  of  much  intelli- 
gence, and  well  respected,  as  well  as  a  Mason  in  good  standing,  who 
had  been  successfully  exhibiting  in  Charleston,  offered  to  give  the 
Grand  Lodge  the  benefit  of  one  of  his  exhibitions.  This  proposal  was 
accepted,  and  it  was  determined  that  the  proceeds  of  the  benefit  should 
be  devoted  to  the  decoration  of  the  Lodge  room.  Accordingly  an  ex- 
hibition was  given  at  the  Theatre  on  the  night  of  the  23d  of  April, 
1846.  The  Grand  Lodge  and  a  large  number  of  the  Fraternity  ap- 
peared in  the  pit  in  full  Masonic  clothing,  and  the  proceeds  of  the 
benefit,  amounting  to  $137,  with  a  donation  from  Mr.  Forbes,  the 
Manager  of  the  Theatre,  of  $50,  being  the  rent  for  that  evening,  was 
paid  over  into  the  Grand  Treasury. 

At  a  Special  Communication  on  the  27th  of  April,  1846,  a  further 
sum  of  S100  was  appropriated  to  the  decoration  fund,  and  the  Subordi- 
nate Lodges  were  requested  to  make  appropriations  for  the  same  object. 
With  the  money  thus  obtained  the  Lodge  room  was  beautifully  deco- 
rated in  fresco  painting. 

At  a  Special  Communication  on  the  23d  of  May,  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity of  Charleston  presented  Herr  Alexander  with  a  handsome  gold 
jewel,  consisting  of  a  five  pointed  star  with  an  appropriate  inset iption. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  June,  1846.  At  this  (,'ura- 
munication  the  Grand  Lodge,  finding  the  inconvenience  of  permitting 
the  Lodge  room  to  be  used  by  other  Societies,  and  the  members  gener- 
ally being  impressed  with  the  impropriety  of  allowing  a  place  which 
had  been  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  uses  of  Masonry,  to  be  occupied 
for  any  other  purpose,  the  Grand  Lodge  resolved  "that  in  future  the 
Lodge  room  should  not  be  rented  or  used  for  any  other  than  Masonic 
purposes." 

The  most  important  transaction  at  this  meeting,  was  the  appointment 
of  a  committee  to  present  a  revised  code  of  rules  and  regulations. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1st  of  September,  1846.  A  war- 
rant was  granted  for  the  revival  of  Jackson  Lodge  No.  53,  at  Lancas- 
ter. 

"Lodge  hours"  were  technically  defined  in  a  note  of  Dalcho's  Ahi- 
man  Hezon  to  be,  "from  March  25th  to  September  25th  between  the 
hours  of  sevcu  and  ten,  and  from  September  25th  to  March  25th  be- 
tween the  hours  of  eU  and  nine."     The  Grand  Lodi^e  ordered  ove  of 


330  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOXRY 

the  Lodges,  which  had  provided  a  different  hour  of  meeting  in  its  D7- 
laws,  "  to  conform  to  the  regulations  of  the  Ahiman  Tlczon  in  relation 
to  Lodge  hours."  There  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  that  in  this  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  error,  for  Dr.  Dalcho  himself,  in  the  preface  to  the  work, 
had  expressly  stated,  "that  the  body  or  text  of  the  woik  alone  is  to  be 
considered  as  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  "and  the  sanction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  simply  "recommended"  the  notes  "as  highly  interesting 
and  instructive."  There  is  in  the  Ahiman  Rezon  proper  no  regulation 
as  to  Lodge  hours,  and,  in  fact,  the  definition  of  Dr.  Dalcho  is  an  in- 
correct one.  "Lodge  hours"  is  a  technical  term,  having  no  allusiou 
whatever  to  any  particular  parts  of  the  day,  but  only  to  the  time  occu- 
pied by  a  Lodge  in  its  labor.  The  period  embraced  between  the  open- 
ing and  the  closing  of  a  Lodge  constitutes  its  Loihje  hours,  whether 
they  be  in  the  morning,  in  the  afternoon,  or  the  night. 

The  revised  Constitution  received  its  first  reading  at  this  Communi- 
cation. 

Special  Communication  on  the  80th  of  September,  1846.  The  Hall 
Committee  reported  that  they  had  expended  the  money  appropriated  by 
the  Grat'd  and  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  decoration  of  the  Hall,  and 
received  the  thanks  ot  the  Grand  Lodge  therefor. 

Special  Communication  on  the  I lth  November,  184G.  An  interest- 
ing case  came  up  at  this  Communication  for  action.  A  candidate  had 
long  previously  received  the  first  degree  in  Lodge  No  66.  Subse- 
quently, from  information  received  by  some  of  the  members  from  Ger- 
many, of  which  place  the  Apprentice  was  a  native,  there  arose  a  reluc- 
tance on  the  part  of  the  Lodge  to  complete  his  Masonic  career  by  con- 
feriing  on  him  the  remaining  degrees.  No  ballot  was,  however,  taken, 
but  inconvenience  or  want  of  time,  were  repeatedly  given  as  reasons 
for  not  conferring  them.  After  some  months,  perhaps  a  year, 
Lodge  No.  66  consented  that  Lodge  No.  10,  in  the  san.e  city,  should 
confer  the  second  and  third  degrees  on  the  candidate,  provided  it  was 
willing  to  do  so.  But  the  Grand  Lodge  having  received  information  of 
this  act,  the  Grand  Secretary  was  instructed  to  notify  Lodge  No.  10, 
that  it  is  contrary  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
said  Lodge  No.  10  to  confer  any  degrees  on  Brother  J.  P.  M  E., 
and  that  they  be  forbidden  to  do  so;  and  that  the  Grand  Secretary  be 
also  instructed  to  direct  Lodge  No.  66  to  take  immediate  action  on 
Brother  E.'s  case,  or  he  will  be  considered  a  rejected  candidate  for  the 
second  and  third  degrees. 

A  brother,  who  had  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the  Order  and 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  331 

in  the  Grand  Lodge,  having  left  the  State,  under  circumstances  which 
have  never  been  explained,  a  motion  was  made  that  he  "be  expelled 
from  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry  for  unmasonic  and  immoral 
conduct."  This  motion  was  referred  to  a  committee,  who,  at  a  subse- 
quent Communication,  made  the  following  report,  which  is  retained 
here  as  embracing  a  point  of  Masonic  jurisprudence.  The  committee 
reported : 

"That  they  have  taken  said  resolution  into  consideration,  and  on 
mature  reflection  have  concluded  that  the  expulsion  of  any  Mason  from 
the  privileges  of  the  Order  should  only  take  place  on  distinct  charges 
and  specifications,  fully  established  by  testimony.     That  your  committee, 

not  having  before   them   any  specified   charge  against ,  cannot 

proceed  to  any  examination  of  the  subject,  and,  therefore,  beg  leave  re- 
spectfully to  be  discharged  from  the  further  consideration  of  the  reso- 
lution." 

The  report  was  very  properly  adopted. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1st  of  December,  1846.  At  the 
previous  Special  Communication  notice  had  been  received  from  Wal- 
halla  Lodge  No.-  66  of  the  expulsion  of  F.  Schneider  and  G.  Pirksen. 
At  the  same  Communication  appeals  were  received  from  both  these 
brethren,  which  were  referred  to  a  committee  who  reported  at  this 
Communication.  After  a  careful  review  of  the  facts,  the  committee 
recommended  that  the  sentences  of  expulsion  in  both  cases  should  be 
reversed,  on  the  following  grounds: 

"  1st.  That  the  grounds  upon  which  the  Lodge  r.ctcd  were  insuffi- 
cient to  war: ant  expulsion. 

"2d.  That  the  meeting  of  the  Lodge  at  which  the  resolutions  for 
expulsion  were  adopted  was  held  in  an  illegal  j  lace. 

"3d.  That  the  parties  were  not  furnished  with  copies  of  the  charges, 
and  had  not  the  proper  opportunity  of  defence." 

The  report  was  accepted,  and  Schneider  and  Pirksen  were  both 
reinstated.  As  this  decision  gave  rise  to  very  unpleasant  results,  and 
to  the  settlement  of  an  important  point  of  Masonic  law,  namely, 
whether  a  Grand  Lodge  could  restore  a  Mason,  unjustly  expelled,  to 
membership  in  his  Lodge,  it  will  be  appropriate,  perhaps,  that  the 
regular  order  of  time  be  anticipated,  and  the  whole  history  of  the  sub- 
sequent proceedings  in  this  case  be  at  once  completed. 

At  the  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  2d  of  March, 
1817,  a  letter  was  received  from  Lodge  No  GO  informing  the  Grand 
Lodjre  that  the  cases  of  Pirksen  and  Schneider  had  been  reconsidered 


332  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

by  the  Lodge,  and  that  the  former  had  been  suspended  for  twelve 
months,  and  that  the  former  sentence  of  expulsion  against  Schneider 
had  been  unanimously  confirmed.  Notice  was  also  given  that  Brother 
J.  C.  Blohme  had  been  suspended  for  twelve  months  for  "decided  hos- 
tility against  the  Lodge  and  fixed  determination  on  his  part  to  injure 
the  Lodge."  As  this  action  of  the  Lodge,  in  the  case  of  Schneider  at 
least,  was  in  direct  opposition  to  the  positive  decree  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  the  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee  for  examination. 

This  committee  reported  on  the  19th  of  March,  1817,  that  after  an 
attentive  consideration  of  the  matter  they  saw  nothing  in  the  evidence 
to  change  the  character  of  the  case  in  relation  to  Bro.  Schneider  from 
what  it  was  when  before  a  previous  committee.  They  therefore  recom- 
mended that  the  sentence  of  the  Lodge  should  be  reversed,  and  that 
the  Lodge  be  ordered  to  reinstate  Schneider  to  full  membership. 

A  protest  was  offered  by  the  Lodge,  but  its  reception  being  objected 
to,  as  out  of  order,  it  was  withdrawn,  and  the  report  and  recommenda- 
tion of  the  committee  were  adopted. 

In  the  case  of  Blohme,  the  same  committee  reported  that  the  offence 
had  not  been  proved,  and  recommeuded  his  reinstatement  to  member- 
ship.    This  recommendation  was  also  adiptsd. 

On  the  23d  of  March,  1847,  Walhalla  Lodge  No.  66  met,  and  a  ma- 
jority of  the  members  resolved  to  return  the  warrant  of  Constitution, 
"because  the  Grand  Lodge  had  acted  wrongly,  and  contrary  to  all  Ma- 
sonic usage,"  in  reinstating  these  brethren. 

The  warrant  was  accordingly  returned,  and  was  delivered  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  on  the  9th  of  April,  accompanied  by  a  protest,  which  was  laid 
on  the  table. 

At  the  same  time,  a  minority  of  the  Lodge,  which  at  the  Lodge 
meeting  on  the  23d  of  March  had  protested  against  the  action  of  the 
Lodge  in  surrendering  its  warrant,  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  a 
restoration  of  the  warrant,  and  for  a  dispensation  to  elect  and  install 
another  set  of  officers. 

On  this  subject  the  Grand  Lodge  immediately  took  a  very  decisive 
action.  It  suspended  twelve  members  of  the  Lodge,  including  the 
Master  and  Wardens,  until  they  should  acknowledge  their  error  and 
submit  to  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  granted 
the  dispensation  to  the  remaining  members  to  elect  new  officers,  and  or- 
dered the  warrant  to  be  restored  to  them,  as  soon  as  the  Grand  Lecturer 
should  be  satisfied  that  in  their  work  they  were  conforming  to  the  ritual 
of  the  ancient  York  rite,  as  practiced  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  that 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;^33 

the  language  of  their  ceremonies  was  a  correct  translation  of  the  same 
into  German.  This  was  done,  aud  the  minority  of  Walhalla  Lodge  re- 
ceived the  warrant  of  constitution.  The  old  officers  having,  however, 
refused  to  surrender  the  funds  and  jewels  of  the  Lodge,  were,  after  due 
warning,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  expelled  from  all  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  Masonry.  Subsequently  the  Master,  having  made  sub- 
mission, was  restored  to  Masonry,  but  not  to  membership  in  the  Lodge. 

The  revised  code  of  by-laws  was  read  a  second  time,  and  having  been 
considered  seriatim,  was  finally  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Charles  M.  Furman  was  elected 
Grand  Master. 

Special  Communication  on  the  Oth  of  December,  1846.  The  reso- 
lution was  adopted  which  has  already  been  referred  to,  in  which  the 
Grand  Lodge  refused  to  exercise  discipline,  except  after  specific  charges 
had  been  preferred. 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  celebrate  the  Festival  of  St.  John 
the  Evangelist  by  a  banquet  in  the  evening,  but  with  no  procession  nor 
addicss. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  on  Monday 
evening,  28th  of  December,  1846. 

The  Grand  Master  elect,  having  been  first  installed  by  Bro.  J.  C. 
Norris,  Past  Grand  Master,  then  installed  the  remaining  officers. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  returned  to  Bro.  Norris  for 
"the  able,  impartial  and  satisfactory  manner  in  which  he  had  discharged 
the  duties  of  Grand  Master,"  and  he  was  constituted  an  honorary  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  the  Grand  Secretary  announced  the  con- 
tinued progress  of  the  Order  in  the  State.  Cheering  intelligence  of 
prosperity  was  received  from  most  of  the  Lodges  with  which  he  was  in 
correspondence.  Masonry  was  now  beginning  to  be  recognized  and 
studied  as  a  sublime  science — its  moral  influenco  was  not  less  regarded 
than  its  pecuniary  benefits,  and  Masters  and  brethren  appeared  to  bo 
alike  anxious  to  add  to  their  charity,  zeal,  and  to  their  zeal,  knowledge. 
Its  columns  were  daily  strengthening,  its  lights  were  burning  with 
brighter  effulgence,  aud  crowds  of  anxious  aud  true  hearted  brethren 
were  daily  assembling  around  its  altar  to  offer  up  in  harmonious  concord 
their  praises  to  the  Grand  Geometrician,  and  to  engage  in  that  "noble 
contention,  or  rather  emulation,  of  who  could  best  work  and  best  agree." 


334  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    XL. 

THE   YEAR   1847. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1847*. 

C.  M.  FuRMAN,  Grand  Maste  ; 

A.  E    Miller,  Deputy    Grand  Mitsfer ; 

J.  S.  1>URGES,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Z.  B.  Oakes,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

J.   M.  HONOUR,   Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  G.  MACKET,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

Edmund  Bull,       )         . 

T     ,     n  i  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

J.  A   Cleveland,  )  ' 

J.  COLLINGWOOD,        )  . 

,,T     .     n  c  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

W.  A.  Cleveland,  )  ' 

W.  C.  Ferrell,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  II.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Peter  K.  Coburn,  ) 

TT  ci    D  i   Grand  Stewards; 

Henry  S.  Rice,       )  ' 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Titer; 

A.  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  March,  1817.  The  affairs 
of  YYalhalla  Lodge  again  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
but  as  the  narrative  of  the  unpleasant  controversy  with  this  Lodge  has 
been  fully  given  in  the  preceding  chapter,  no  other  notice  will  be  taken 
of  it,  except  to  say,  that  at  every  Communication  during  this  year  it 
constituted  an  important  part  of  the  proceedings. 

A  member  of  Friendship  Lodge  No.  9,  having  been  expelled  from 
the  Lodge  in  1846,  for  disorderly  conduct  in  the  Lodge  and  abusive 
language  to  the  Master,  had  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  his 
appeal  had,  as  usual,  been  referred  to  a  committee.  At  this  Commu- 
nication the  committee  reported  that,  in  their  opinion,  expulsion  from 
the  Fraternity  was  a  punishment  which  should  be  reserved  for  extreme 
cases,  involving  the  violation  of  some  moral  principle,  or  the  casting  off 
of  Masonic  obligation.  That  mere  disorderly  conduct,  arising  as  it 
frequently  does  froui  temporary  excitement,  and  often  fruin  misappre- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  335 

hension.  should  not  ordinarily  be  subjected  to  the  severest  punishment 
known  to  the  Order.  Expulsion  not  merely  deprives  a  party  of  all  the 
rights  and  benefits  of  the  Order,  but  inflicts  a  stain  upon  the  character 
of  an  individual,  and  it  should  be  resorted  to  only  in  cases  where  no 
other  adequate  punishment  can  be  imposed. 

The  committee,  therefore,  suggested  that  this  ense  should  be  referred 
back  to  the  Lodge  for  further  action,  and  the  Lodge  be  recommended 
to  change  their  decision  into  a  suspension  for  such  time  as  they  may 
deem  requisite;  or  until  the  offending  member  should  give  satisfaction 
to  the  Lodge.  The  committee  were  of  opinion,  that  the  rule  of  the 
Lodge  which  authorized  the  expulsion  of  a  member  for  disorderly 
conduct,  after  being  called  to  order,  rather  refers  ti  expulsion  from 
membership  of  the  Lodge,  than  to  expulsion  from  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity. 

"Your  committee  would  further  state,  that  they  are  of  opinion  that 
Brother  Lipman  owes  it  to  the  Lodge  and  to  the  Master,  to  make  a 
suitable  apology  and  acknowledgment  for  the  conduct  which  has  been 
the  subject  of  the  Lodge  censure;  and  they  hope  that  such  apology  will 
be  promptly  made,  and  that  it  will  be  tendered  in  the  spirit  in  which  it 
becomes  a  member  of  a  Masonic  body  to  approach  the  brethren  whom 
he  may  have  offended;  and  we  further  hope,  that  such  an  apology  so 
tendered,  will  be  received  with  a  correspondi:.g  sp.rit." 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted. 

Brother  John  S.  Oogdell,  who  had  been  Grand  Master  in  1821, 1822 
and  1823,  having  died,  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  resolutions  at  tins 
Communication,  expressive  of  respect  for  his  memory.  The  Lodge 
room  was  ordered  to  be  clothed  in  mourning  for  three  months,  and  the 
resolutions  were  published  in  Moore's  Frcen  asmi's  Magazine. 

Special  Communication  on  the  19th  of  March,  1847.  This  Com- 
munication was  called  entirely  in  relation  to  the  case  of  Walhalla 
Lodge. 

Special  Commur.ication  on  (he  9th  of  April,  1847,  for  the  further 
consideration  of  the  matters  of  Walhalla  Lodge. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York,  announcing  the  existence  of  several  clandestine  Lodges  in  that 
jurisdiction,  and  requesting  the  Grand  Lodge  erf  South  Carolina  to 
refuse  to  examine  any  Mason  hailing  from  New  York  who  did  not  pro- 
duce a  Grand  Lodge  certificate  from  that  Grand  Lodge. 

Quarterly  Commaoicatiuo  ou  the  1st  of  June,  lb47.     The  Grand 


330  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodge  decided  that  the  Master  of  a  Lodge  is  in  all  cases  entitled  to 
one  vote,  and  when  there  is  a  tie  to  an  additional  one. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  September,  1847.  A  mem- 
ber of  Washington  Lodge  No.  5,  being  in  arrears  to  that  Lodge  for 
more  than  one  year's  dues,  had  been  repeat .dly  notified  of  the  fact, 
and  his  name,  having  been  read  out  at  three  successive  meetings  as  a 
defaulter,  had,  under  a  by-law  of  the  Lodge,  been  stricken  from  the 
roll,  and  his  connection  with  the  Lodge  declared  to  be  at  an  end.  Sub- 
sequently he  paid  the  amount  due  and  demanded  reinstatement,  but 
was  refused.  On  this  he  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  body, 
on  the  report  of  a  committee,  sustained  the  action  of  the  Lodge,  decid- 
ing that  his  subsequent  payment  of  his  dues  did  not  ipso  facto  restore 
him  to  membership,  as  he  had  thereby  merely  discharged  a  just  liability, 
and  one  which  could  be  collected  in  a  court  of  justice.  It  furthermore 
decided,  that  after  he  had  paid  his  arrears  to  the  Lodge,  he  stood  in 
the  light  of  a  demitted  Mason,  having  a  perfect  right  to  seek  admit- 
tance as  a  member  in  any  other  Lodge  in  the  world. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Hiram  Lodge  No.  68,  at  Anderson  Court 
House. 

Special  Communication  on  the  30th  of  September,  1817.  The  ^rand 
Officers  were  authorized  to  purchase  the  lot  south  of  the  Masonic  Flail 
for  $3,500,  the  same  being  offered  at  that  price,  and  to  make  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  obtaining  the  purchase  money  by  loans. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana, 
in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  Lodges  within  her  jurisdiction,  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  which  was  referred  to  a  special 
committee. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  December,  1847.  The  com- 
mittee on  the  controversy  between  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Louisiana 
and  Mississippi,  stated  that  they  were  not  yet  in  possession  of  all  the 
documents  necessary  to  make  a  satisfactory  report,  and  asked  for  further 
time.  In  view,  however,  of  these  dissensions  between  two  Grand 
Lodges,  the  committee  made  the  following  suggestion  on  the  subject  of 
a  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  upon  which,  however, 
no  action  was  taken  at  that  time  by  the  Grand  Lodge : 

"  Your  committee  take  this  occasion  respectfully  to  express  their 
opinion  respecting  the  formation  of  a  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  or  some  other  body  of  appellate  jurisdiction  and  would, 
therefore,  instance  this  disagreement  between   the  Grand  Lodges  of 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  337 

Louisiana  and  Mississippi,  as  of  sufficient  ground  to  desire  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  a  body,  which  would  give  greater  stability  to  the  in- 
stitutions of  Freemasonry,  as  much  as  the  establishment  of  the  General 
Government  has  given  permanency  to  the  independence  and  happiness 
of  the  United  States.  And  as  this  subject  has  been  discussed  and 
adopted  by  eight  of  our  sister  Grand  Lodges,  who  met  at  Baltimore  in 
September  last,  and  formed  a  Constitution,  which  is  to  go  into  operation 
as  soon  as  sixteen  Grand  Lodges  agree  to  the  same,  we  think  the  sub- 
ject one  that  ought  to  be  considered  by  this  Grand  Lodge — leaving 
them  to  determine  what  action  they  will  take  respecting  it." 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Festival  of  St.  John  should  bo  celebrated 
by  an  address  and  a  banquet,  but  that  there  should  be  no  procession. 
The  committee,  however,  were  unable  to'  obtain  an  Orator,  and  that 
part  of  the  ceremony  was  also  dispensed  with. 

The  representatives  of  eight  Grand  Lodges  had  assembled  at  Balti- 
more in  the  month  of  September  last,  and  formed  the  Provisional  Con- 
stitution of  a  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  tjie  United  States,  to  be  finally 
adopted  if  concurred  in  by  sixteen  Grand  Lodges.  This  document  and 
the  address  of  the  Convention  were,  at  this  Communication,  laid  before 
the  Grand  Lodge  and  referred  to  a  committee  of  nine,  which  commit- 
tee made  an  unfavorable  report  in  the  month  of  April,  1848. 

An  application  was  made  by  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  in  relation  to 
obtaining  a  part  of  the  lot  in  Wentworth  Street,  ou  which  to  erect  a 
Tower  for  a  Fire  Bell.  This  was  referred  to  the  Hall  Committee  for 
action,  which  subsecpuently  declined  to  accede  to  the  application. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Charles  M.  Furmau  was  reelected 
Grand  Master. 

Special  Communication  on  the  10th  of  December,  1847.  The  war 
with  Mexico  had  just  terminated,  with  brilliant  success  to  the  American 
arms.  Gen.  James  Shields,  a  Past  Master  of  National  Lodge  No. 
1-,  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  was  daily  expected  in  the  city,  on  his 
way  to  the  scat  of  Government.  Gen.  Shields  had  been  in  command 
of  the  brigade  of  which  the  South  Carolina  regiment  formed  a  part,  to 
which  regiment  was  attached  a  traveling  or  military  Lodge,  whose  war- 
rant had  been  granted  by  this  Grand  Lodge.  The  Fraternity  were 
hence  anxious  to  pay  him,  in  common  with  their  fellow-citizens,  some 
mark  of  respect.  It  was,  therefore,  resolved  that  the  Grand  Officers, 
with  the  Junior  Past  Grand  Master,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  wait 
on  him  an  BOOO  as  he  should  arrive,  to  give  him  a  fraternal  welcome, 
and  tender  to  him  the  hospitalities  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  of  the  Pra- 


3sgg  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ternity  of  the  city.  It  was  further  resolved  that,  should  he  accept  the 
invitation,  the  Grand  Master  should  convene  the  Grand  Lodge,  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  him  in  ancient  form  while  in  session,  and  that  a 
banquet  should  be  provided  under  the  direction  of  a  Committee  of  Ar- 
rangements, to  consist  of  one  brother  from  each  of  the  city  Lodges. 

Gen.  J.  A.  Quitman,  a  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi,  and  the  Major-General  of  the  division  of  the  army  to  which 
the  brigade  of  Gen.  Shields  was  attached,  also  arriving  about  the  same 
time  in  the  city,  was  subsequently  included  in  the  invitation. 

On  the  22d  of  December  the  committee  waited  on  Gens.  Quitman, 
and  Shields  at  their  quarters  in  the  Carolina  Hotel,  and  having  extended 
the  invitation  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  was  accepted,  and  the  evening  of 
the  23d  of  December  appointed  for  the  reception  and  banquet. 

A  Special  Communication  was  accordingly  held  on  the  23d  of  De- 
cember, 1847.  A  large  concourse  of  brethren  were  present,  the  room 
being  in  fact  full  to  overflowing.  Bro.  C,  M.  Furman,  the  Grand 
Master,  stated  the  object  of  "the  Communication. 

At  8  o'clock,  the  Grand  Pursuivant  announced  the  committee,  con- 
sisting of  A.  E.  Miller,  R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  J.  C. 
Norris,  M.  W.  Past  Grand  Master,  with  the  following  visitors :  M. 
W.  David  Johnson,  Past  Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina,  M.  W. 
J.  A.  Quitman,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Mississippi,  and  W.  James 
Shields,  Past  Master  of  National  Lodge  No.  12,  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. 

On  entering  the  Grand  Lodge  room  they  were  received  with  the 
private  Grand  Honors  of  Masonry,  and  escorted  to  the  East,  where  the 
M.  W.  Grand  Master  made  the  following  address  to  Brothers  Quit- 
man and  Shields  : 

"In  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  the 
members  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  here  present,  I  welcome  you  among 
us.  Your  Masonic  brethren,  in  common  with  your  fellow-citizens 
generally,  highly  appi-eciate  the  services  you  have  rendered  to  our 
common  country.  They  with  pleasure  embrace  an  opportunity  to  give 
expression  to  their  feelings.  Indeed,  in  recognizing  you  as  brethren, 
they  find  an  additional  motive  for  rejoicing  in  your  success.  The 
Masonic  Institution,  it  is  true,  is  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  those 
virtues  which  find  their  more  common  exercise  amid  the  occurrences  of 
ordinary  life,  and  may  seem  hostile  to  the  military  profession.  But 
nature  has  stamped  upon  the  human  mind  the  principle  of  self-defence, 
and  under  the  influence  of  that  principle  Masons  may  go  forth  to  battle 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  039 

when  the  voice  of  their  country  summons  them  to  the  conflict.  In  the 
Bteru  strife  of  battle,  when  life  is  pitted  against  life,  the  voice  of 
mercy  is  stilled ;  but  who  can  say  that  the  asperities  of  war  are  not 
mitigated  under  the  influence  of  Masonic  principles,  or  that  the  obliga- 
tion taken  at  every  Masonic  altar,  of  charity  for  all  mankind,  though 
mure  especially  for  a  brother  Mason,  has  not  extended  a  softening 
influence  over  the  conduct  of  modern  warfare.  As  illustrating  this 
influence,  well  may  we  point,  brethren,  to  the  conduct  of  the  soldiers 
under  your  command — no  rapine,  outrage  or  conflagration  have  stained 
your  triumphs. 

fit  is  not  only  as  Masons  that  we  now  greet  you;  we  recognize  in 
you  the  commanders  who  led  the  sous  of  our  soil  through  a  career  of 
victory,  which  we  feel  has  even  elevated  the  character  of  our  honored 
State.  The  light  reflected  from  your  bright  example  has  illumined  the 
path  over  which  they  rushed  to  honor  and  renown.  The  true  soldier 
will  dare,  whenever  his  comtnauder  will  lead,  and  at  Churubusco  and 
Ohapultepec  our  sons  found  leaders,  to  follow  whom  was  honor. 

"Among  this  band  of  citizen  soldiers  our  Institution  had  many 
sons,  and  in  common  with  many  natural  parents  among  our  citizens, 
Ave  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  brave  spirits  upon  the  plains  and  before 
the  fortresses  of  Mexico.  The  gallant  Butler,  their  chief;  Dickinson, 
worthy  to  be  his  second,  have  faHeu  in  the  very  arms  of  victory.  The 
tear,  however,  which  we  would  shed  at  their  loss,  is  checked  by  our 
exultation  at  their  renown.  But  I  forbear  to  speak  of  them  to  those 
who  witnessed  their  actions,  aud  who  saw  them  die. 

"  Brethren,  we  congratulate  you  upon  the  success  which  followed 
your  footsteps  during  the  arduous  campaign  through  which  you  have 
just  passed.  Your  actions  have  added  to  the  reputation  of  our  great- 
country,  and  I  but  echo  the  sentiment  which  has  been  pronounced  by 
our  people  from  Maine  to  Mexico — that  your  names  are  enrolled  among 
those  of  her  most  valued  sons.  Again,  I  welcome  you  within  these 
walls." 

The  Installation  Ode  was  then  sung  by  Bro.  Sloman,  the  brethren 
uniting  in  full  chorus. 

The  Grand  Secretary,  Bro.  A.  G.  Mackcy,  then  rose,  and  having 
alluded  to  the  desire  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  place  upon  its  records 
some  official  memorial  of  the  happy  concurrence  of  fortuitous  events 
which  had  brought  together  in  that  sacred  asylum  two  distinguished 
visitors,  both  of  them  gallant  defenders  of  their  country,  both  of  them 
zealous  Masons,  and  one  of  them  the  twice  honored  presiding  officer  of 


340  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

the  Grand  Lodge  of  a  neighboring  State,  and  both  of  them  intimately 
connected,  as  commanders  of  the  South  Carolina  volunteers,  with  the 
brethren  who,  in  that  regiment,  were  working  under  a  traveling  war- 
rant from  this  Grand  Lodge,  moved ; 

"That  Brothers  J.  A.  Quitman  and  James  Shields  be  elected 
honorary  members  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  the  Grand  Secretary  be 
directed  to  transmit  to  these  distinguished  brethren  diplomas  with  the 
signature  of  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

This  resolution  was  seconded  by  the  R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
and  unanimously  adopted. 

Brother  Quitman  then  rose  and  expressed  his  deep  sense  of  the 
honor  just  conferred  upon  him.  He  stated  that  since  his  Masonic 
infancy  he  had  been  always  taught  to  look  up  with  reverence  to  the 
Masonic  light  which  burned  on  the  altars  in  this  State.  He  had 
always  been  a  working  Mason,  and  since  his  life  of  war  in  Mexico,  he 
had  had  still  more  occasion  to  love  the  Order  and  respect  its  principles. 
He  related  several  anecdotes,  and  among  others  stated  that  his  heart 
was  never  more  filled  with  tender  emotions  than  when  on  his  arrival  at 
Vera  Cruz,  from  the  city  of  Mexico,  he  was  invited  to  be  present  at  a 
meeting  of  a  Lodge  whose  warrant  of  constitution  had  been  granted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi.  After  other  interesting  remarks,  he 
concluded  by  thanking  the  Grand  Lodge  for  admitting  him,  in  this 
complimentary  manner,  into  its  household. 

Brother  Shields  also  thanked  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  honor  con- 
ferred upon  him.  He  stated  that  although  war  was  antagonistic  to  all 
the  principles  of  Freemasonry,  and  although  he,  a  General  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  was,  as  a  Mason,  in  favor  of  universal 
peace,  yet  there  were  circumstances  in  which  war,  for  the  defence  of 
one's  country,  liberty  and  rights,  was  strictly  in  accordance  with  all  the 
duties  and  obligations  of  the  Mason.  It  was,  he  said,  not  until  he  was 
placed  in  the  battle-field,  and  saw  and  partook  of  the  fierce  conflict  of 
man  with  man,  that  he  was  able  to  appreciate  the  benign  principles  of 
that  Order,  which  humanized  and  civilized  the  human  heart,  and 
softened  even  the  harsh  features  of  war. 

P.  G.  M.  Johnson  then  briefly  addressed  the  brethren,  and  said  he 
would  take  this  occasion  to  state,  in  connexion  with  the  remarks  already 
made  by  our  distinguished  visitors  in  relation  to  the  happy  influence 
of  Masonry  during  the  present  war,  that  the  Order  was  first  planted  in 
Mexico,  during  his  administration  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  Grand 
Master,  in  1826,  when  Bro.  Poinsett,  our  Minister  to  Mexico,  obtained 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;j4i 

from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  warrants  of  constitution  for 
the  establishment  of  Lodges  in  that  Republic,  the  whole  correspondence 
on  which  subject,  he  said,  would  be  found  on  the  records  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

After  these  interesting  ceremonies,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called 
from  labor  to  refreshment,  and  the  brethren  proceeded  with  their  guests 
to  the  Banqueting  Hall,  where  viands,  fruits,  pastry,  wines  and  other 
refreshments  were  amply  provided. 

The  next  day  a  special  session  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  was  convened,  and  Gen.  Quitman,  who 
many  years  before  had  received  the  thirty-second  degree  of  that  Rite, 
was  advanced  to  the  thirty-third  and  last,  and  made  an  active  member 
of  the  Supreme  Council,  to  fill  a  vacancy  which  had  just  occurred. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  in  this  year 
only  by  the  installation  of  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  No 
Orator  had  been  obtained,  and  as  a  banquet  had  taken  place  only  a  few 
days  before  on  the  occasion  of  the  Shields  and  Quitman  reception,  it 
was  deemed  expedieut  to  dispense  with  the  usual  feast.  The  Grand 
Master  elect  having  been  installed  by  Bro.  J.  C.  Norris,  Past  Grand 
Master,  then  installed  the  other  officers,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
closed  in  ample  form. 

During  the  year  two  new  Lodges  had  been  constituted,  and  the 
whole  number  of  contributing  members  in  the  State  had  been  largely 
increased. 


;;42  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER  XLL 

THE    YEAR    1848. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1848 : 

0.  M.  Tubman,  Grand  Master; 

A.  E.  Miller,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

J.  S.  BuRGES,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

7a.  B.  Oakes,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

J.  H.  HONOUR,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

A.  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

W.  C.  Terrell,  )   c    .      n       7  n 

'  >  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
2s.  DWlvigny,  ) 

E.  Thayer,         )   7     .      ,-,       ,  r. 

•  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
P.  K.  Coburn,    J 

W.  L.  Cleveland,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

S.    A.    Benjamin,  ")  „       -,  0,         7 

'  >  Grand  Stewards  ; 

E.  HUCHET,  J 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler; 
A.  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  March,  1848.  A  complaint 
was  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  that  certain  residents  of 
Georgia  had  been  initiated  by  Lodges  in  this  jurisdiction,  which  was 
roferred  to  a  special  committee. 

The  Grand  Master  gave  notice  that  he  would  not,  hereafter,  grant 
any  dispensations  for  conferring  degrees,  unless  the  reasons  for  the  ap- 
plication were  set  forth  in  writing. 

The  Hall  Committee  were  directed  to  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  lighting  the  building  throughout  with  gas. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  at  this  Communication,  vindicated  its  right  to 
exercise  Masonic  jurisdiction  over  a  transient  person  temporarily  resid- 
ing in  the  State.  A  Master  Mason,  who  was  a  member  of  one  of  the 
Lodges  in  Texas,  during  a  temporary  sojourn  in  the  city  of  Charleston, 
had  married  a  lady,  whom,  after  a  short  time,  he  robbed  and  deserted. 
She  having  made  a  complaint  of  these  acts  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;^;; 

South  Carolina,  the  Grand  Secretary  was  ordered,  on  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1847,  to  write  to  the  accused,  and  to  require  him  to  show 
cause,  at  the  Communication  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  December  next, 
why  he  should  not  be  expelled  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
Masonry.  The  necessary  notice  was  given,  and,  having  offered  no 
defence  at  this  Communication,  he  was  formally  expelled  from  the 
Order,  and  notice  was  directed  to  be  given  thereof  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Texas. 

Special  Communication  on  the  4th  of  April,  1848.  The  committee 
to  whom  the  subject  of  a  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  had  been  referred,  re- 
ported that  they  deemed  it  unadvisable  to  recommend  its  adoption  to 
the  Grand  Lodge.  They  thought,  however,  that  it  would  be  expedient 
or  advisable,  to  adopt  some  method  by  which  differences  between  Grand 
Lodges  might  be  settled — as  in  cases  of  appeal  or  umpire.  But  as 
they  could  not  agree  on  what  should  be  recommended  as  a  substitute, 
they  refrained  from  saying  any  more  on  the  subject,  and  asked  to  be 
discharged  from  any  further  consideration  of  the  subject. 

There  was  considerable  discussion  on  the  merits  of  the  question,  and 
the  report  of  the  committee  was  not  agreed  to  until  the  Quarterly  Com- 
munication in  September,  when,  after  further  discussion,  the  report  was 
finally  adopted. 

As  this  subject  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  has  occupied  the  attention 
of  the  Fraternity  of  the  Union  for  almost  a  century,  as  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina  took  at  one  time  an  important  part  in  the 
efforts  to  organize  such  a  body,  and' as  this  was  the  last  time  that  it  un- 
dertook to  pass  any  opinion  on  the  subject,  it  is  proper,  and  perhaps 
will  be  interesting,  to  give  a  brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  efforts 
made,  from  time  to  time,  by  different  Grand  Lodges  to  organize  such  a 
body. 

Ever  since  the  Grand  Lodges  of  this  country  began,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revolutionary  war,  to  abandon  their  dependence  on 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  England  aud  Scotland,  that  is  to  say,  as  soon  as 
they  emerged  from  the  subordinate  position  of  Provincial  Grand  Bodies, 
and  were  compelled  to  assume  a  sovereign  and  independent  character, 
attempts  have,  from  time  to  time,  been  made  by  members  of  the  Craft 
to  destroy  this  sovereignty  of  the  State  Grand  Lodges,  and  to  institute 
in  its  place  a  superintending  power,  to  be  constituted  either  as  a  Grand 
Master  of  North  America,  or  as  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 


344  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Led,  perhaps,  by  the  analogy  of  the  united  colonies,  under  one  fed- 
eral head,  or  in  the  very  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  struggle, 
controlled  by  long  habits  of  dependence  on  the  Mother  Grand  Lodges 
of  Europe,  the  contest  had  no  sooner  begun,  and  a  disseverance  of 
political  relations  between  England  and  America  taken  place,  than  the 
attempt  was  made  to  institute  the  office  of  Grand  Master  of  the  United 
States,  the  object  being,  of  which  there  can  hardly  be  a  doubt,  to  in- 
vest Washington  with  the  distinguished  dignity. 

The  effort  emanated,  it  appears,  with  the  military  Lodges  in  the 
army;  for  a  full  account  of  it  we  are  indebted  to  the  industrious  re- 
searches of  Bro.  E.  G.  Storer,  who  has  published  the  entire  Minutes 
of  the  "American  Union  Lodge"  attached  to  the  Connecticut  line,  in 
his  invaluable  work  on  "  The  Early  Records  of  Freemasonry  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut." 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1779,  Union  Military  Lodge  met  to  cele- 
brate the  day  at  Morristown,  in  New  Jersey,  which  it  will  be  remembered 
was  then  the  winter  quarters  of  the  army.  At  that  Communication,  at 
which,  it  may  be  remarked  by  the  way,  that  "Bro.  Washington" 
is  recorded  among  the  visitors,  "a  petition  was  read"  (I  quote 
from  the  record,)  "representing  the  present  state  of  Freemasonry  to 
the  several  Deputy  Grand  Masters  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
desiring  them  to  adopt  some  measures  for  appointing  a  Grand  Master 
over  said  States."  * 

The  petition  purports  to  emanate  from  "Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  in  the  several  lines  of  the  Army;"  and  on  its  being  read  it  was 
resolved  that  a  committee  be  appointed  from  the  different  Lodges  in  the 
army,  and  from  the  staff,  to  meet  in  convention,  at  Morristown,  on  the 
7th  of  February  next.  Accordingly,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1780,  a 
convention,  called  in  the  record  "a  committee,"  met  at  Morristown. 
This  couventiou  adopted  an  address  to  the  "Grand  Masters  of  the 
several  Lodges  in  the  respective  United  States."  The  recommendations 
of  this  address  were,  that  the  said  Grand  Masters  should  adopt  and 
pursue  the  most  necessary  measures  for  establishing  one  Grand  Lodge 
in  America  to  preside  over  and  govern  all  other  Lodges  of  whatsoever 
degree  or  denomination,  licensed  or  to  be  licensed,  upon  the  continent; 
that  they  should  nominate  as  Grand  Master  of  said  Lodge  a  brother 
whose  merit  and  capacity  may  be  adequate  to  a  station  so  important  and 


*  See  "  History  of  Freemasonry  in  Kentucky,"  by  Rob.  Morris,  which  work  has 
supplied  me  with  several  other  facts. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  345 

elevated,  aud  that  his  name  should  be  transmitted  "to  our  Grand 
Mother  Lodge  in  Europe,"  for  approbation  and  confirmation. 

This  convention  contained  delegates  from  the  States  of  Massachu- 
setts, Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware 
and  Maryland.  Between  the  time  of  its  conception  on  the  27th  of  De- 
cember, 1779,  and  that  of  its  meeting  on  the  7th  of  February,  1780, 
that  is  to  say  in  January,  1780,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  had 
held  an  emergent  meeting,  and  in  some  measure  anticipated  the  pro- 
posed action  of  the  convention,  by  electing  General  Washington  Grand 
Matter  of  the  United  States. 

From  the  contemporaneous  character  of  these  events,  I  am  induced 
to  believe  it  possible  that  there  was  some  concert  of  action  between  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Masons  of  Morristown.  Per- 
haps the  initiative  having  been  taken  by  the  latter  in  December,  the 
former  determined  to  give  its  influence,  in  January,  to  the  final  recom- 
mendations which  were  to  be  made  in  the  following  February.  All 
this,  however,  although  plausible,  is  but  conjectural.  Nothing  appears 
to  have  resulted  from  the  action  of  either  body.  The  only  further  re- 
ference which  I  find  to  the  subject,  iu  subsequent  Masonic  documeuts, 
is  the  declaration  of  a  convention  held  in  1783,  to  organize  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  where  it  is  remarked  that  "another  Grand  Lodge 
was  requisite  before  an  election  could  be  had  of  a  Grand  Master  for  the 
United  States.*' 

But  the  attempt  to  form  a  General  Grand  Lodge,  although,  on  this 
occasion,  unsuccessful,  was  soon  to  be  renewed.  In  1790,  the  propo- 
sition was  again  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia,  and  here,  true 
to  the  Roman  axiom,  "  tempora  mutantur  et  nos  mutamur  in  illis,"  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  became  the  opponent  of  the  measure, 
and  declared  it  to  be  impracticable. 

Again,  in  1799,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  renewed  the 
proposition,  and  recommended  a  convention  to  be  held  at  the  city  of 
Washington,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  "Superintending  Grand 
Lodge  of  America."  The  reasons  assigned  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  for  making  this  proposition  are  set  forth  in  the  circular 
which  it  issued  on  the  subject  to  its  sister  Grand  Lodges.  They  arc 
"to  draw  closer  the  bonds  of  union  between  the  different  Lodges  in  the 
United  States,  and  to  induce  them  to  join  in  some  systematic  plan 
whereby  the  drooping  spirit  of  the  Ancient  Craft  may  be  revived  and 
become  more  generally  useful  and  beneficial,  and  whereby  Ancient  Ma- 
sonry, so  excellent  and  beautiful  iu  its  primitive  institution,  may  be 


;34(]  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

placed  upon  such  a  respectable  and  firm  basis  in  this  western  world,  as 
to  bid  defiance  to  the  shafts  of  malice,  or  the  feeble  attempts  of  any 
foreign  declaimers*  to  bring  it  into  disrepute." 

Several  Grand  Lodges  acceded  to  the  proposition  for  holding  a  con- 
vention, although  they  believed  the  scheme  of  a  "Superintending 
Grand  Lodge"  inexpedient  and  impracticable,  but  they  were  willing  to 
t-cnd  delegates  for  the  purpose  of  producing  uniformity  in  the  Masonic 
system.     The  Convention,  however,  did  not  assemble. 

The  proposition  was  again  made,  in  1803,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
North  Carolina,  and  with  a  like  want  of  success. 

In  1806  the  subject  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  was  again  presented 
to  the  consideration  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union,  and  proposi- 
tions were  made  for  conventions  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia,  in  1807, 
and  in  Washington  city,  in  1808,  neither  of  which  was  convened.  The 
"Proceedings"  of  the  various  Grand  Lodges  in  the  years  1806,  1807 
and  1808  contain  allusions  to  this  subject,  most  of  them  in  favor  of  a 
convention  to  introduce  uuiformity,  but  unfavorable  to  the  permanent 
establishment  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge.  North  Carolina,  however, 
in  1807  expressed  the  opinion  that  "a  National  Grand  Lodge  should 
possess  controlling  aud  corrective  powers  over  all  Grand  Lodges  under 
its  jurisdiction." 

An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  hold  a  convention  at  Washing- 
ton in  January,  1811,  "for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Superintending 
Grand  Lodge  of  America." 

After  the  failure  of  this  effort,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina, 
which  seems  to  have  been  earnest  in  its  endeavors  to  accomplish  its  fa- 
vorite object,  again  proposed  a  convention  to  be  convoked  at  Washing- 
ton, in  1812.  But  the  effort,  like  all  which  had  preceded  it,  proved 
abortive.     No  convention  was  held. 

The  subject  seems  now,  after  all  these  discouraging  efforts,  to  have 
been  laid  upon  the  shelf  for  nearly  ten  years.  At  length,  however,  the 
effort  for  a  convention,  which  had  so  often  failed,  was  destined  to  meet 
with  partial  success,  and  one,  rather  extemporaneous  in  its  character, 
was  held  in  Washington,  on  the  8th  of  March,  1822.  Over  this  con- 
vention, which  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  rather  equivocally  describes 
as  "composed  of  members  of  Congress  and  strangers,"  the  renowned 
orator  and  statesman,  Henry  Clay,  presided.     A  strong  appeal,  most 


*The  allusion  is  to  the  Abbe  Barruel,  who  had  just  published  his  abusive  and 
;mti -Masonic  "Histoire  du  Jacobinismc." 


DC  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  347 

probably  from  the  facile  pen  of  its  eloquent  President,  was  made  to 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  country  to  concur  iu  the  establishment  of  a 
General  Grand  Lodge.  But  the  appeal  fell  upon  unwilling  ears,  and 
the  Grand  Lodges  continued  firm  in  their  opposition  to  the  organization 
of  such  a  superintending  body. 

The  subject  was  agaiu  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Fraternity  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  which  body,  at  its  communication  in 
May,  1845,  invited  its  sister  Grand  Lodges  to  meet  in  convention  at 
Baltimore,  on  the  23d  of  September,  1847,  for  the  purpose  of  report- 
ing a  constitution  of  a  Gcueral  Grand  Lodge. 

This  convention  met  at  the  appointed  time  and  place,  but  only  seven 
Grand  Ledges  were  represented  by  twice  that  number  of  delegates.  A 
constitution  was  formed  for  a  "  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,"  which  was  submitted  for  approval  or  rejection  to  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  Union.  The  opinion  expressed  of  that  constitution  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  that  it  "  embraced  in  several  of  its  sections 
indefinite  and  unmeaning  powers,  to  which  it  was  impossible  to  give  a 
definite  construction,  and  that  it  gave  a  jurisdiction  to  the  body  which 
that  Grand  Lodge  would  in  no  event  consent  to,"  seems  to  have  been 
very  generally  concurred  in  b}r  the  other  Grand  bodies,  and  the  "  Su- 
preme Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States"  never  went  into  operation. 
The  formation  of  its  constitution  was  its  first,  its  last,  and  its  only  act. 

The  next  actiou  that  we  find  on  this  much  discussed  subject  was  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  which  body  recommended,  in  1848, 
that  each  of  the  Grand  Lodges  should  frame  the  outlines  of  a  General 
Grand  Constitution,  such  as  would  be  acceptable  to  it,  and  send  it  with 
a  delegate  to  a  convention  to  be  holden  at  Boston,  in  1850,  at  the  time 
of  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  and  General  Grand  Encamp- 
ment. The  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  who  made 
this  recommendation,  also  presented  the  outlines  of  a  General  Grand 
Constitution.  This  instrument  defines  the  jurisdiction  of  the  proposed 
General  Grand  Lodge  as  intended  to  be  over  all  controversies  and  dis- 
putes between  the  different  Grand  Lodges  which  may  become  parties 
to  the  compact,  when  such  controversies  are  referred  for  decision  ; 
and  the  decisions  in  all  cases  to  be  final  when  concurred  iu  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  Grand  Lodges  present,"  but  it  disclaims  all  appeals  from 
State  Grand  Lodges  or  their  subordinates  in  matters  relating  to  their 
own  internal  affairs.  It  is  evident  that  the  friends  of  the  measure  had 
abated  much  of  their  pretensions  since  the  year  1779,  when  they 
wanted   a   Grand   Lodge  of  America   "to  preside  over  and  govern  all 


34:8  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

other  Lodges  of  whatsoever  degree  or  denomination,  licensed  or  to  be 
licensed,  on  the  continent." 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Rhode  Island  also  submitted  the  draft  of  a 
General  Grand  Constitution,  more  extensive  in  its  details  than  that  pre- 
sented by  New  York,  but  substantially  the  same  in  principle.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  also  concurred  in  the  propo- 
sition. The  convention  did  not,  however,  meet ;  for  the  idea  of  a 
Supreme  Grand  Lodge  was  still  an  unpopular  one  with  the  Craft.  In 
January,  1850,  Texas  expressed  the  general  sentiment  of  the  Frater- 
nity, when  it  said  : 

"  The  formation  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  will  not  accomplish  the 
desired  end.  The  same  feeling  and  spirit  that  now  lead  to  difficulties 
between  the  different  Grand  Lodges,  would  produce  insubordination 
and  disobedience  of  the  edicts  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge." 

But  another  attempt  was  to  be  made  by  its  friends  to  carry  this 
favorite  measure,  and  a  convention  of  delegates  was  held  at  Lexington, 
Ky.,  in  September,  1853,  during  the  session  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  and  Encampment  at  that  city.  This  convention  did  little  more 
than  invite  the  meeting  of  a  fuller  convention,  whose  delegates  should 
be  clothed  with  more  plenary  powers,  to  assemble  at  Washington  in 
January,  1855. 

The  proposed  convention  met  at  Washington,  and  submitted  a  series 
of  nine  propositions,  styled  "  Articles  of  Confederation."  The  gist  of 
these  articles  is  to  be  found  in  the  initial  one,  and  is  in  these  words  : 

"  All  matters  of  difficulty  which  may  hereafter  arise  in  any  Grand 
Lodge,  or  between  two  or  more  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States, 
which  cannot,  by  their  own  action,  be  satisfactorily  adjusted  or  disposed 
of,  shall,  if  the  importance  of  the  case  or  the  common  welfare  of  the 
Fraternity  demand  it,  be  submitted  with  accompanying  evidence  and 
documents,  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges,  in  their  individual  capacities  ; 
and  the  concurrent  decision  thereon  of  two-thirds  of  the  whole  number, 
officially  communicated,  shall  be  held  authoritative,  binding  and  final 
on  all  parties  concerned." 

The  provisions  of  these  articles  were  to  be  considered  as  ratified,  and 
were  to  take  effect  as  soon  as  they  were  approved  by  twenty  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  United  States.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  appro- 
bation was  never  received,  and  the  proposed  confederation  failed  to 
assume  a  permanent  form. 

The  reader  will  at  once  perceive  that  the  whole  question  of  a  Gen- 
eral Grand  Lodge  is  here,  at  once  and  in  full,  abandoned.     The  propo- 


IJsT  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  349 

sition  was  simply  for  a  confederated  league,  with  scarcely  a  shadow  of 
power  to  enforce  its  decisions — with  no  penal  jurisdiction  whatsoever, 
and  with  no  other  authority  than  that  which,  from  time  to  time,  might 
be  delegated  to  it  by  the  voluntary  consent  of  the  parties  entering  into 
the  confederation.  If  the  plan  had  been  adopted,  the  body  would,  in 
all  probability,  have  died  in  a  few  years  of  sheer  debility.  There  was 
no  principle  of  vitality  to  keep  it  together. 

But  the  friends  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  did  not  abandon  the  hope 
of  effecting  their  object,  and  in  1857  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine  issued 
a  circular  urging  the  formation  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  at  a  con- 
vention to  be  held  at  Chicago  in  September,  1859,  during  the  session 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  and  General  Grand  Encampment  at  that 
city.  This  call  was  generally  and  courteously  responded  to.  Even 
South  Carolina,  which,  in  all  previous  conventions  to  effect  this  object, 
since  the  failure  of  its  own  proposition  in  1799,  had  scrupulously  kept 
aloof,  determined  to  send  delegates. 

The  convention  assembled  at  Chicago,  but  abandoning  all  idea  of  a 
General  Supreme  Grand  Lodge,  contented  itself  with  proposing  the 
Constitution  of  a  triennial  Congress,  a  scheme  which  I  cannot  but  think, 
if  accepted,  would  have  been  highly  advantageous  to  the  Order.  But 
even  this  has  not  met  with  a  favorable  reception  among  the  majority  of 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union,  and  there  is  now  but  little  doubt  that 
the  Masonic  Congress,  like  the  General  Grand  Lodge,  for  which  it  was 
proposed  as  a  substitute,  will  be  very  generally  repudiated  by  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  Continent. 

In  an  appeal  by  a  Mason,  who  had  been  expelled  by  Harmony  Lodge 
No.  17,  the  Grand  Lodge,  believing  that  he  had  been  sufficiently 
punished,  adopted  a  report,  recommending  that  the  Lodge  restore  him 
to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masoury,  "  and,  if  it  thinks  proper,  to 
membership,  this  latter  action,  however,  being  left  entirely  optional 
with  the  Lodge." 

In  this  decision  it  must  be  observed,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not 
abate  any  of  the  prerogatives  which  it  had  previously  exercised  in  the 
case  of  the  Masons  expelled  by  Walhalla  Lodge.  In  the  latter  instance 
the  reinstatement  was  ex  debito  justilice,  an  act  of  justice,  because  the 
parties  had  not  been  legally  tried  or  found  guilty  of  the  charges.  In 
the  present  instance  the  recommendation  was  made  ex  gratia,  as  an  act 
of  meny,  and,  in  a  case  of  this  kind,  the  Grand  Lodge  could  not 
impose  upon  a  Lodge  one  whom  it  acknowledged  to  have  been  right- 
fully and  legally  expelled.     It  could  only  recommend  a  restoration. 


350  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Quarterly  Coinnmmcation  on  the  6th  of  June,  1848.  The  Grand 
Lodge  received  an  invitation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  to  be  present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Wash- 
ington Monument  in  the  city  of  Washington. 

Quarterly  Communication  oq  the  5th  of  September,  1848.  The 
Grand  Officers  were  requested  to  report  what  was  the  proper  interpre- 
tation of  the  Grand  Lodge  rule  in  reference  to  Masonic  certificates; 
and  also,  whether  a  person  who  could  not  read  nor  write,  was  capable 
of  being  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry.  They  were  also 
directed  to  prepare  an  encyclical  letter  to  be  addressed  to  all  the  Subor- 
dinate Lodges. 

It  was  also  decided  at  this  Communication,  that  "the  practice  of 
dueling  is  repugnant  to  the  principles  of  Freemasonry,  and,  in  all  cases 
where  two  brethren  resort  to  this  mode  of  settling  their  disputes,  it 
becomes  the  duty  of  the  Lodge,  or  Lodges,  of  which  they  are  members, 
forthwith  to  expel  them  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry, 
subject  as  usual  to  the  confirmation  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  December,  1848.  The 
committee  in  relation  to  the  interpretation  of  the  law  referring  to  cer- 
tificates, reported,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  concurred  in  the  report,  "that 
they  consider  that  the  presentation  of  a  certificate  is  required  by  this 
Grand  Lodge,  simply  as  a  testimonial  of  good  Masonic  standing,  pre- 
paratory to  an  examination;  and  that,  therefore,  where  the  party  can 
furnish  other  sufficient  evidence  of  his  Masonic  standing,  and  assign  a 
satisfactory  reason  for  being  without  a  certificate,  the  Lodge  which  he 
proposes  to  visit  may  proceed  to  his  examination." 

In  visitors  from  the  State  of  New  York,  they  recommended,  however, 
that  this  rule  should  not  apply ;  but  that,  in  accordance  with  the 
request  of  that  Grand  Lodge,  all  Masons  hailing  from  that  State  should 
be  imperatively  required  to  present  a  certificate  of  membership,  signed 
by  the  Grand  Secretary  of  that  jurisdiction. 

The  Grand  Lodge  also  decided  in  relation  to  the  initiation  of  illiter- 
ate persons,  that  it  could  find  no  injunction  in  the  ancient  constitutions, 
prohibiting  the  initiation  of  persons  who  are  unable  to  read  or  write  ; 
yet,  as  Speculative  Freemasonry  is  a  scientific  Institution,  the  Grand 
Lodge  would  discourage  the  initiation  of  such  candidates  as  highly 
inexpedient. 

The  Grand  Lodge  in  reviewing  the  by-laws  of  one  of  its  Lodges  took 
occasion  to  reiterate  the  declaration,  that  on  the  extinction  of  any  Sub- 
ordinate Lodge  its  property  becomes  vested  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 


UN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;>51 

It  also  forbade  the  adjournment  of  Lodges,  declaring  that  they  must 
be  closed  at  the  order  of  the  Worshipful  Master. 

The  Grand  Officers  presented  their  encyclical  letter,  which,  on  being 
read,  was  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  ordered  to  be  printed  and 
sent  to  all  the  Subordinate  Lodges.  As  this  letter  is  a  very  fair 
synopsis  of  the  opinions  entertained  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  most 
important  aud  usual  questions  that  could  affect  the  welfare  of  the  Order 
and  the  Lodges,  it  is  proper  that  it  should  constitute  a  part  of  this 
history.     The  letter  is  therefore  given  at  length,  as  follows  : 

"WISDOM,  UNION,  STRENGTH. 

"From  the  Grand  East  of  Charleston,  this  5th  day  of  December,  in 
the  year  of  Light  58 48.  The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  Freemasons  of  South  Carolina,  in  Grand  Communicatiou 
convened,  to  the  Subordinate  Lodges  under  her  jurisdiction,  sends 

GREETING : 

"Brethren:  The  Grand  Lodge,  anxious  for  your  prosperity,  and 
desirous  that,  as  members  of  the  great  mystic  family,  you  should  pre- 
serve in  unfaded  brightness  the  light  of  Masonry  which  has  been 
entrusted  to  your  keeping,  addresses  you,  on  the  occasion  of  this  Grand 
Communication,  an  Encyclical  Letter  of  advice,  of  admonition,  and  of 
direction. 

"In  the  first  place,  the  Grand  Lodge  earnestly  calls  your  attention 
to  the  subject  of  admission  of  members.  Let  your  great  anxiety  be 
not  to  iucrease  the  number,  but  the  respectability  and  worthiness  of 
your  candidates.  The  pre-rcquisite  qualifications  of  applicants  for 
Masonry  are  of  a  three-fold  character.  They  arc  moral,  mental  and 
physical.  Every  candidate  for  initiation  into  the  mysteries  of  Free- 
masonry must  be  a  man  of  good  moral  character,  of  irreproachable 
reputation,  and  living,  as  our  ritual  expresses  it,  "under  the  tongue  of 
good  report."  The  Lodge  which  admits  a  member  who  has  not  these 
necessary  qualifications,  is  bringing  into  our  fold  not  a  lamb,  the 
emblem  of^innocence  and  purity,  but  a  ravenous  wolf  who  will  inevi- 
tably destroy  the  flock.  Neither  is  an  ignorant  or  uneducated  man 
desirable  as  a  candidate  for  our  mysteries.  Without  some  intellectual 
culture,  it  is  not  likely  that  he  would  appreciate  the  symbolical  cha- 
racter of  our  Institution,  nor  would  he  be  capable  of  becoming  a  very 
useful  or  honorable  member  of  the  Craft.  Lastly,  as  to  the  physical 
qualifications,  the  Ahiman  Rezon  leaves  uo  d  >ubt  on  the  subject,  but 
expressly   declares   that   every   applicant    for  initiation  must  bo  a  man, 


35g  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

free  born,  of  lawful  age,  in  the  perfect  enjoyment  of  his  senses,  hale 
and  sound,  and  not  deformed  or  dismembered.  This  is  one  of  the 
ancient  landmarks  of  the  Order,  which  it  is  in  the  power  of  no  body 
of  men  to  change.  A  man  having  but  one  arm  or  one  leg,  or  who  is 
in  any  way  deprived  of  his  due  proportion  of  limbs  and  members,  is  as 
incapable  of  initiation  as  a  woman.  As  to  the  religious  qualifications^ 
the  action  of  some  other  Grand  Lodges  makes  it  expedient  that  we 
should  impress  upon  you  that  no  other  religious  test  is  necessary  or 
proper  in  the  candidate,  except  that  he  declare  himself  a  firm  believer 
in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being. 

"  Finally  on  this  subject,  Brethren,  let  it  always  be  remembered  that 
in  balloting  for  a  candidate  each  Lodge  is  acting  not  for  itself  alone, 
but  for  the  whole  Order  at  large.  It  is  not  simply  admitting  a  new 
associate  into  its  own  narrow  circle,  but  is  introducing  a  brother  to  the 
great  Masonic  family,  whose  virtuous  or  vicious  conduct  will  affect  the 
Institution  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  for  good  or  evil.  Let  no  brother 
then  forget,  that  it  is  as  sacred  a  duty  to  reject  the  worthless  as  it  is  to 
receive  the  worthy. 

"The  conduct  of  your  members  requires  also  constant  supervision. 
A  Mason  must  obey  the  moral  law,  and  his  conduct  must  be  such  as 
not  only  to  do  credit  to  himself,  but  reflect  a  portion  of  that  credit 
upon  the  Lodge  and  the  Fraternity  of  which  he  is  a  part.  The  more 
faithful  he  is  to  his  duties  as  a  man,  a  citizen  and  a  neighbor,  the  more 
will  he  exalt  the  reputation  of  that  Institution  of  which  he  is  a  worthy 
member.  But  on  the  contrary,  if  forgetful  of  the  lessons  of  morality 
and  virtue  which  are  taught  within  the  Lodge,  he  degrades  himself  by 
the  constant  practice  of  immorality,  the  degradation  falls  not  on  him 
alone,  but  on  all  those  who  have  given  him  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship and  hailed  him  as  a  brother.  In  a  case  like  this,  the  duty  of  the 
Lodge  is  plain.  Let  the  erring  brother  be  first  kindly,  but  firmly  ad- 
monished of  his  fault.  If  he  repents  and  seeks  amendment,  let  every 
aid  be  given  to  his  new-formed  resolutions;  but  if  he  continues  in  his 
course  of  vice,  he  must  no  longer  be  suffered  to  contaminate  the  purity 
of  our  Institution  by  his  presence,  but  like  a  diseased  liwb,  must  be 
cut  off,  lest  he  poison  the  whole  body.  Excepting  in  extreme  cases  of 
moral  turpitude,  it  will  be  better  to  suspend  for  a  given  period,  to  allow 
the  defaulter  an  opportunity  of  reclaiming  himself;  but  when  all  hope 
of  such  a  result  is  lost,  he  must  be  expelled  from  Masonry,  and  no 
longer  considered  as  a  brother.  When  such  a  man,  living  in  the  open 
shamelessness  and  abandonment  of  vice,  without  exhibiting  in  his  life 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  353 

one  guiding  principle  of  Masonry,  still  continues  to  retain  his  member- 
ship in  a  Lodge  in  this  jurisdiction,  or  claims  to  be  a  Mason  in  its 
vicinity,  the  Grand  Lodge  will  hold  such  a  Lodge  guilty  of  all  the  evil 
and  disgrace  which  Masonry,  in  such  a  case,  must  necessarily  receive. 

'■'  On  the  subject  of  Masonic  work,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  that  as  perfect  uniformity  as  possible  should  exist.  Having 
adopted  a  system,  which  it  has  entrusted  to  an  appropriate  officer  to 
communicate  to  you,  it  asks  you  to  listen  to  and  follow  his  instructions. 
As  we  are  but  oue  household,  it  is  meet  and  proper  that  our  labors,  our 
ritual,  and  all  our  ceremonies,  should  correspond,  so  that  no  brother,  in 
visiting  a  neighboring  Lodge,  should  feel  himself  a  stranger,  but  may 
rather  be  convinced  of  the  uniformity,  regularity  and  beauty  of  our 
Institution. 

"  The  subject  of  taking  due  bills  from  candidates  has  been  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  There  is,  brethren,  no  custom 
more  pregnant  with  evil  than  this.  It  is  far  better  to  present  a  candi- 
date with  the  degrees  conferred,  than  on  his  first  entrance  into  the 
Order,  to  burthen  him  with  a  pecuniary  obligation  to  the  Lodge,  which 
it  may  be  inconvenient  for  him  to  liquidate;  and  which,  in  the  infirmity 
of  human  nature,  will  most  probably  affect  injuriously  the  kind  feelings 
which  should  exist  among  all  the  members.  This  custom  the  Grand 
Lodge  most  imperatively  forbids. 

"  It  is  expected  of  every  Mason,  that  he  shall  pay  due  veneration 
and  respect  to  the  Supreme  and  Subordinate  Rulers  of  Masonry  who 
have  been  placed  over  him.  The  importance  of  the  duty  of  obedience 
is  too  often  aud  too  strongly  enforced  in  our  ancient  charges,  to  require 
at  this  time  any  formal  recapitulation.  The  Master  of  the  Lodge,  and 
under  him,  the  Wardens,  have,  it  is  to  be  supposed,  been  selected  for 
their  wisdom  and  prudence,  and  skill  in  Masonry.  To  their  awards, 
every  member  should  then  quietly  and  respectfully  submit.  The 
authority  of  the  Master  especially,  is  supreme  in  the  Lodge.  For  his 
errors  he  is  alone  accountable  to  the  Graud  Lodge;  and  as  his  obli- 
gations require  that  he  should  see  the  ancient  landmarks  of  Masonry, 
and  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  euforced  and  obeyed, 
it  is  but  proper  that  he  should  be  invested  with  the  power  to  carry  out 
these  obligation!.  Hence  the  decrees  of  the  Master  must  be  always 
respected  by  the  members  of  the  Lodge.  He  may,  and  of  course  will 
sometimes,  be  wrong,  for  '  to  err  is  human ;'  but  in  all  such  cases,  an 
appeal  from  his  decision  may  be  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  who  will 


354  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ever  be  ready  to  correct  his  errors,  and  impartially  to  administer 
justice. 

"  Finally,  brethren,  among  yourselves  eschew  all  strife  and  quarrels, 
living  in  peace  with  all  the  world,  live  in  love  with  each  other.  Thus 
shall  you  assist  in  the  elevation  and  prosperity  of  our  beloved  Insti- 
tution, and  secure  to  yourselves  the  greatest  of  all  blessings,  'a  con- 
science void  of  offence.' 

"  And  may  the  Supreme  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe  ever  have 
you  in  his  holy  keeping;  may  brotherly  love  prevail,  and  every  moral 
and  social  virtue  cement  you  in  the  bonds  of  peace  and  fellowship." 

The  difficulties  which  had  arisen  between  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Lou- 
isiana and  Mississippi,  had  at  this  time  attracted  the  attention  of  all  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union,  and  as  has  been  seen,  had  been  referred  to 
a  committee  of  this  Grand  Lodge  in  September,  1847.  It  is  only 
necessary  in  explanation  to  state  here,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Lou- 
isiana was  at  that  time  permitting  many  of  its  Subordinate  Lodges  to 
work  in  the  York,  Scotch  and  French  rites,  sometimes  a  Lodge  using 
only  one  of  these  rites,  and  others  practicing  at  different  times  two  of 
them,  or  perhaps  the  whole  three.  Against  this  system,  which  is  tech- 
nically known  in  Masonry  as  a  "cumulation  of  rites,"  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Mississippi,  in  answej  to  the  complaint  of  several  York 
Masons  of  Louisiana,  had  protested,  and  asserting  that  there  was  not 
properly  any  York  Grand  Lodge  in  Louisiana,  and  that  the  field  was, 
therefore,  open  for  the  entrance  of  any  other  Grand  Lodge  as  an  unoc- 
pied  jurisdiction,  it  had  established  several  Lodges  in  Louisiana,  which 
had  subsequently  united  in  the  organization  of  a  "  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons."  The  representations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi,  against  the  supposed  irregularities  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge 
of  Louisiana,  and  the  complaints  of  the  latter  against  the  intrusion  into 
their  jurisdiction,  had  been  placed  before  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the 
Union.  The  report  of  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina,  to  whom  this  subject  had  been  referred,  was  presented  at  this 
Communication,  and  as  this  able  documeot  forms  an  interesting  and 
important  part  of  the  Masonic  history  of  this  period,  I  do  not  hesitate 
to  give  it  in  its  full  extent.     The  report  is  in  these  words  :* 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  differences  existing 
between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mis- 

*  The  committee  who  made  this   report  consisted  of  A.   E.  Miller,  J,  H. 
Honour,  Z.  B.  Oakes,  J.  C.  Norris  and  F.  C.  Barber. 


TS  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  355 

sisg'ippi,  and  who  asked  "or  further  time,  by  their  report  in  December 
last,  (see  page  30  of  Abstract  of  Proceedings  of  Grand  Lodge  for 
5847,)  beg  leave  to  express  their  opinion  on  the  important  subject,  so 
vital  to  Masonry  and  its  principles.  They,  therefore,  lay  before  the 
Grand  Lodge  what  information  they  have  collected,  from  the  several 
reports  referred  to  them,  aud  such  observations  as  occurred  in  their  ex- 
amination, viz: 

1st.  The  printed  statement  communicated  to  this  Grand  Lodge  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  signed  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  F. 
Verrier,  dated  the  23d  April,  1847,  with  sundry  resolutions  attached, 
adopted  on  the  17th  May  following. 

2d.  A  Preamble  aud  ilesjlutions  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missis- 
sippi, as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  each  distinctive  rite 
produces  different  powers  which  govern  it,  and  are  independent  of 
others;  and,  whereas,  no  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotch,  French,  or  cumu- 
lative rite,  can  legally  assume  jurisdiction  over  any  Ancient  York 
Lodge;  therefore,  Resolved,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  being 
composed  of  a  cumulation  of  rites,  cannot  be  recognized  by  this  Grand 
Lodge  as  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons. 

"Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  will  grant  charters  to  any  legal 
number  of  Ancient  York  Masons  residing  within  the  State  of  Lou- 
isiana they  making  due  application  for  the  same." 

3d.  Another  printed  statement  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York, 
acting  on  the  communication  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana, 
setting  forth  their  disapproval  of  the  conduct  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi,  as  follows: 

u  Be  it  resolved,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York,  that 
we  most  deeply  and  sincerel}-  regret  that  any  Grand  Lodge  in  the 
United  States  has  attempted  to  disturb  the  harmony  heretofore  exist- 
ing between  the  several  Graud  Lodges  of  the  United  States,  and 
thereby  jeopardizing  the  unity  of  the  Masonic  family  throughout  the 
world. 

'•  Resole/ d,  That  as  we  have  heretofore  recognized  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Louisiana  as  the  sole,  supreme  and  legitimate  government  of  the 
symbolic  degrees  of  Masonry  in  the  State  of  Louisiana,  so  we  shall 
continue  to  sustain  her  in  her  rights 

"  Resolved,  That  we  advise  and  request  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missis- 
sippi  to   rescind   and   revoke  any   dispensations  and  warrauts,  which 


;jt-,<j  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASCSfRY 

have  been  granted  under  her  authority  to  brethren  in  the  State  of 
Louisiana. 

"Resolved,  That  all  Lodges  planted  in  the  State  of  Louisiana  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  or  any  other  Grand  Lodge  than  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana,  established  in  the  year  1812,  are  irregular  Lodges, 
and  as  such  cannot  be  recognized  by  us. 

11  Resolved,  That  all  intercourse  between  the  Lodges  and  Masons  of 
this  State,  and  the  Lodges  in  the  State  of  Louisiana,  not  deriving  their 
authority  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  State,  is  hereby  strictly 
prohibited. 

(Signed)  R.   11.  BOYD,  Grand  Secretary." 

These  resolutions  were  passed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York, 
7th  September,  1847. 

We  have  waited,  for  some  time,  for  any  further  action  on  the  part  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  but  having  heard  of  no  retraction, 
this  Grand  Lodge  ought  to  act  in  some  manner  so  as  to  suppress  the 
evil,  which  is  now  dividing  the  Masonic  family  in  Louisiana,  for  it  now 
appears  that  a  new  Grand  Lodge  has  been  formed  by  seven  of  the 
Lodges,  woi'king  under  the  warrants  or  charters  obtained  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi;  and  the  question  will  arise,  which  of  these 
two  Grand  Lodges  is  to  be  recognized  by  the  other  Grand  Lodges  in 
the  United  States. 

The  first  question  for  us  to  decide  is,  did  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisi- 
ana forfeit  their  right  of  jurisdiction,  in  cumulating  the  different  rites, 
as  charged  against  them,  (see  Annual  Statement,  1847,  page  12,)  and 
in  some  degree  admitted,  ivhen  they  altered  their  constitution,  in  1832,  so 
as  to  enable  them,  to  work  in  and  cumulate  the  French  or  Modern,  and 
Scotch  rite  ? 

The  second  question  is,  Had  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  the  right 
to  intrude  itself  into  the  jurisdiction,  and  declare  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Louisiana  no  Grand  Lodge  ?  Was  it  not  in  violation  of  the  rule  by 
which  our  Grand  Lodge  is  governed  ?  (See  page  190  of  Ahiman  Rezon.) 
"  The  encroachment  upon  the  independent  jurisdiction  of  an  inde- 
pendent Grand  Lodge,  is  contrary  to  every  principle  of  Freemasonry, 
the  constitution  and  usages  of  the  Order,  and  as  manifestly  unjust  as  it 
would  be  for  the  Governor  and  Judges  of  one  State  to  exercise  juris- 
diction in  another." 

Even  if  such  government  was  corrupt,  it  would  not  be  the  privilege 
of  its  equal  to  invade  its  rights,  which  only  could  be  legally  done  by 


L\  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  357 

applying  to  some  superior  party.  We  think  it  would,  therefore,  have 
been  more  in  accordance  with  the  brotherly  principles  of  our  Order, 
had  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  taken  some  legal  steps  to  expose 
what  they  thought  so  dangerous  aud  unmasouic,  in  the  conduct  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  either  by  entering  into  a  correspondence 
with  the  Grand  Iiod^e  of  Louisiana,  aud  making  such  examination  into 
its  acts,  as  would  have  shown  that  body  what  they  deemed  inconsistent 
with  the  principles  of  Ancient  York  Masonry ;  or  by  calling  on  the 
other  Grand  Lodges  to  express  such  an  opinion  as  would  sanction  their 
interference,  before  they  proceeded  to  violate  the  jurisdiction  of  their 
neighbor.  We  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana 
did  not  perceive  the  error  of  cumulating  rites — how  could  they  ? 
They  were  blind  on  the  subject,  because  it  interfered  with  their  inter- 
ests. They  say  it  was  done  to  "  establish  a  sole  and  centre  of  Masonic 
authority,  regulating  the  labors  of  all  the  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction, 
aud  that  under  the  denomination  of  a  Grand  Lodge  duly  incorporated 
by  and  for  the  State  of  Louisiana,"  &c.     (See  page  12,  pamphlet.) 

In  their  defence,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiaua  quotes  from  the  22d 
Article  of  its  Constitution,  as  follows  : 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  will  uot  constitute  Lodges  in  foreign  countries  in 
which  there  is  a  Grand  Lodge,  nor  within  any  State  or  Territory  of  the 
United  States  where  a  Grand  Lodge  exists ;  nor  will  it  permit  any 
foreign  Masonic  authority,  nor  any  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
to  constitute  Lodges  of  any  of  the  rites  of  the  three  first  degrees,  within 
the  limits  of  the  State  of  Louisiana;  and  declares  beforehand,  that  if 
such  a  case  should  occur,  the  Lodge  so  constituted  shall  be  declared 
irregular,  and  its  members  expelled;  and  that  all  Masonic  communication 
shall  cease  (if  any  before  existed,)  between  the  constituents  of  6uch 
Lodge  and  the  Masons  of  Louisiana." 

Article  51  says  :  "  It  is  forbidden  to  any  number  of  Masons  to  as- 
semble, and  form  a  Lodge,  without  having  obtained  a  warrant  of  con- 
stitution from  the  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  whoever  shall  be  convicted  of 
contravening  this  rule,  shall  be  expelled  from  all  the  Lodges  by 
a  resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  deprived  of  all  Masonic  privi- 
leges." 

From  the  tenor  of  these  Articles  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana,  and  other  general  principles,  it  would  appear  that 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  has  endeavored  to  set  aside  an  estab- 
lished Constitution,  and  the  rights  of  the  body  in  possession  of  the 
jurisdiction,  as  established  by  law  ;  and  we  contend  that  the  Grand 


358  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodsre  of  Louisiana  arc  entitled  to  hold  to  their  legal  rights,  until  some 
competent  tribunal  shall  pronounce  against  them. 

That  question  being  considered  and  established  in  favor  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana,  we  shall  next  proceed  to  examine  the  first  ques- 
tion proposed,  viz. : 

Did  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  forfeit  their  right  of  jurisdic- 
tion, in  cumulating  the  different  Rites  ?  Which  your  committee  admit 
may  be  wrong  as  Ancient  York  Masons  ;  but  let  us  see  if  it  was  suf- 
ficient ground  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  to  declare  that  there 
was  no  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  in  the  State  of  Louisi- 
ana? and  that  it  is  incompatible  with  the  ancient  usages  of  Masonry  to 
blend  three  rites  together  ? 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  set  up  in  her  defence,  that  "she was 
constituted  a  Grand  Lodge  in  the  year  A.  L.  5812,  as  '  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana  Ancient  York  Masons,  according  to  the  old  Con- 
stitution as  revised  by  Prince  Edwin,  at  the  city  of  York,  A.  L.  4920/ 
and  that  it  has  ever  since  exercised  supreme  and  exclusive  authority 
and  jurisdiction  as  such,  throughout  the  whole  extent  and  limits  of  the 
State;  and  that  it  has  been  constantly  recognized  as  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  by  all  the  Grand  Lodges  in  the  world  but 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  who  attempted,  very  soon  after  that 
body  came  into  existence,  to  dispute  that  juiisdiction  by  chartering 
Lodges  within  the  State,  but  which  measure  they  then  failed  in  carrying 
out."  The  latest  attempt  to  set  aside  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  by  Poinsett  Lodge,  which  had  received  its  charter  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Louisiana  in  5837  )  it  was  that  Lodge  which  attempted  to 
carry  out  the  mandate  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  by  throwing 
up  its  old  charter,  and  taking  a  new  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Mississippi. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  deny  that  they  have  blended  any 
rites — what  they  have  done,  they  say,  has  been  for  the  strengthening 
their  bond  of  union,  by  uniting  the  whole  Brotherhood  of  Louisiana  of 
the  three  first  degrees,  under  one  head ;  and  allude  to  what  had  been 
done  in  South  Carolina,  in  Massachusetts,  and  in  England  and  France, 
by  their  Grand  Lodges,  for  the  harmony  of  Masonry.  They  say : 
"They  have  recognized  the  universality  of  our  institution,  and  take  by 
the  hand  all  worthy  regular  Master  Masons  who  satisfy  them,  by  proper 
vouchers,  that  they  have  been  regularly  initiated,  let  them  hail  from 
what  country  they  may." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  359 

They  say  further  :  "  The  great  desideratum  of  Masonry  is  harmony  ; 
and  uVcry  regulation  which  produces  that  effect  tends  to  the  glory  of 
the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  and  the  happiness  of  man.  In 
New  Orleans  there  are  Lodges  working  in  different  languages,  and  the 
Fraternity  is  composed  of  various  nations.  A  part  are  attached  to  the 
rites  as  practiced  in  Europe,  which  are  what  are  called  French  or 
Modern,  or  Scotch  rites  ;  the  others  are  attached  to  the  less  complicated 
ceremonies,  as  practiced  in  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  de- 
nominated York  Masons.  Their  Grand  Lodge  was  formed  by  Louisi- 
ana holding  charters  from  Pennsylvania,  and  some  other  Grand  Lodges 
of  the  United  States,  who  were  styled  York  Lodges,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  consequently  constituted  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons.  But,  at  the  time  it  was  formed,  there  were  other  Lodges 
existing  in  New  Orleans  under  the  sanction  of  the  Grand  Orient  of 
France,  which  remained  under  that  jurisdiction,  and  others  were  sub- 
sequently constituted  by  that  body.  This  created  a  conflict  of  authority, 
and,  to  prevent  misunderstanding,  it  was  agreed  to  unite  those  bodies, 
without  blending  of  rites,  to  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
with  permission  to  each  of  these  Subordinate  Lodges  to  continue  the 
use  of  its  particular  ceremonies,  and  with  power  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
to  allow  them,  if  they  thought  proper,  to  cumulate  either  or  both  of 
the  other  rites,  provided  they  should  keep  them  separate  and  distinct. 
This  provision  was  made  to  appease  the  prejudice,  for  the  difference  is 
so  trifling  in  the  three  degrees,  that  it  is  astonishing  that  sensible  men 
should  have  attached  so  much  importance  to  it.  The  Grand  Orient  of 
France,  ever  liberal  to  promote  harmony,  assisted  to  carry  it  into  exe- 
cution. 

"The  present  regulation  is,  that  in  issuing  charters  for  forming 
Lodges  they  shall  be  called  Ancient  York  Lodges,  but  may  contain  the 
power  of  cumulating  thu  other  two  rites ;  but  the  Ancient  York  rite 
shall  always  be  considered  the  principal  or  national  rite." 

The  above  is  part  of  the  defence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana, 
and  calls  for  our  deep  consideration,  whether  by  so  arranging  matters 
for  peace,  love  and  harmony  among  themselves,  they  have  introduced 
any  unpardonable  violation,  or  been  in  any  way  detrimental  to  the  inte- 
rests of  Free  Masonry,  it  is  our  duty  to  examine. 

By  cumulating  the  rites  they  have  introduced  a  new  ground  of  com- 
plaiut,  which  is  brought  against  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  viz : 
"  The  sons  of  Masons,  when  presented  by  their  father,  or  tutor,  are 
dispensed   with    the   condition   concerning  age,  and   may  be  received 


360  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

when  the}-  arc  eighteeu  years  old.  But  it  is  well  understood  that  they 
cannot  be  received  as  Master  Masons,  before  they  have  attained  their 
twenty-first  year.  No  dispensation  contrary  to  this  article  shall  be 
granted." 

This  is  certainly  (in  part)  contrary  to  the  laws  and  usages  of  Ancient 
York  Masonry,  which  say,  "  That  no  person  shall  be  accepted  unless 
he  be  twenty-one  years  old,  or  upwards."  But  does  the  initiation 
before  twenty-one  make  him  an  accepted  Mason  ?  May  not  the  mean- 
ing be,  in  the  end,  that  he  shall  not  be  accepted  until  he  is  twenty-one  ? 
and  is  this  ground  of  objection  an  insurmountable  one?  But  by  what 
law,  other  than  the  one  above,  is  the  question  to  be  tried  ?  Have  not 
other  Grand  Lodges  the  power  to  say  they  will  receive  persons  uuder 
age,  provided  they  do  not  make  them  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  until 
they  are  twenty-one  ?  And  shall  that  be  deemed  a  sufficient  reason  for 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  to  invade  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  aud  declare  her  no  Grand  Lodge  ? 

Still  we  hope  the  anomaly  of  mixed  rites  will  be  abolished  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  and  that  a  speedy  adjustment  of  their  dif- 
ficulties will  take  place;  and  we  recommend  that  the  several  Grand 
Lodges  in  the  United  States  will  become  pacificators  in  arranging  this 
unpleasant  disagreement,  for  the  interest  of  Masonry.  But  if  this 
course  be  not  adopted,  what  will  this  Grand  Lodge  do  ?  shall  we  ap- 
prove of  the  conduct  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  ?  Then,  if 
we  do  so,  and  we  commit  an  error,  or  any  act  that  may  be  considered 
such  by  another  Grand  Lodge,  we  shall  be  as  liable  to  have  our  juris- 
diction invaded  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  was,  against  the  fun- 
damental principles  which  ought  to  govern  all  Grand  Lodges. 

Your  committee  sincerely  regret  that,  by  the  formation  of  another 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  there  has  been  another  fla- 
grant violation  of  the  rights  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana. 

This  new  body  is  under  the  title  of  "The  Louisiana  Graud  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons,"  a  copy  of  whose  Constitution  and  Proceedings 
has  been  forwarded  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  reciting,  at  length,  the  names 
of  the  seven  Lodges  rechartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi, 
who  assembled  in  Grand  Lodge,  and  formed  this  new  Grand  Lodge  on 
the  8th  of  March  last. 

What  action  will  the  Grand  Lodge  take  on  that  Constitution?  will  it 
receive  it  ?  If  it  does,  it  at  once  acknowledges  the  right  set  up  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  and  traduces  the  original  Grand  Lodge  of 
Louisiana. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  S61 

Your  committee  recommend  to  this  Grand  Lodge  the  following  reso- 
lutions for  their  adoption : 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  did  not  forfeit  their 
right  of  jurisdiction  in  Louisiana,  by  the  course  they  adopted  in  cumu- 
lating the  degrees;  although  this  Grand  Lodge  disapproves  of  such 
improper  acts  and  mal-practices,  and  is  desirous  to  learn  that  'hey  have 
been  abolished,  and  the  ancient  landmarks  restored. 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  in  granting  warrants 
to  establish  new  Lodges  within  the  State  of  Louis;ana,  made  a  prema- 
ture and  unlawful  entry  into  a  foreign  jurisdiction  which  was  not  war- 
ranted by  the  occasion,  and,  to  say  the  least,  was  a  violation  of  that 
courtesy  which  ought  always  to  exist  between  sister  Grand  LoJges. 

Resole  (I,  That  without  a  speedy  conclusion  of  the  differences 
between  the  two  Grand  Lodges  now  erected  in  Louisiana,  the  Grand 
Lodges  throughout  the  United  States  ought  to  adopt  some  stringent 
nirt  hod  of  depriving  one  or  the  other  of  the  right  of  assuming 
authority,  which  certainly  only  one  is  entitled  to. 

The  resolutions  appeuded  to  the  report  were  not  adopted  precisely  in 
the  language  proposed  by  the  committee.  The  report  was  printed  and 
made  the  subject  of  subsequent  discussion,  and  on  the  4th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1849,  the  committee  haviug  received  some  other  documents  on  the 
subject,  made  au  additional  report,  concluding  with  the  following  reso- 
lutions, which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  did  not  forfeit  their 
right  of  jurisdiction  in  said  State,  by  the  course  they  adopted  to  secure 
the  control  of  all  the  Masonic  bodies,  and  of  each  different  rite,  for  the 
purpose  of  governing  the  same  in  peace  and  harmony,  under  their  own 
supreme  control,  which  arose  from  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  each 
rite  was  introduced  into  that  jurisdiction. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lod^e  will  hail  with  pleasure  the  day 
when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  shall  itself  endeavor  to  restore 
order  in  its  jurisdiction,  and  separate  itself  from  all  other  bodies,  but 
those  who  practice  the  Ancieut  York  Rite,  aud  establish  the  same  as 
the  only  legitimate  Crdcr. 

o.  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  in  granting  war- 
rants to  establish  new  Lodges  within  the  State  of  Louisiana,  made  a 
premature  and  unlawful  entry  into  a  foreign  jurisdiction,  which  was 
uot  warranted  by  the  occasion,  and,  to  say  the  least,  was  a  violation  of 
that   courtesy    which    ought    always    to    exist    between    sister    (Jrand 


302  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

4.  Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  do  not  recognize  any  other 
Grand  Lodge  in  Louisiana,  but  the  old  and  regularly  constituted  body, 
chartered  in  A.  L.  5816,  of  which  M.  W.  Brother  Felix  Garcia  is 
at  present  Grand  Master,  and  Brother  F.  Verrier  Grand  Secretary. 

5.  Resolved,  That  without  a  speedy  conclusion  of  the  differences 
between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  and  the  body  assuming  to  be 
such,  all  other  Grand  Lodges  are  recommended  to  adopt  such  measures 
as  will  prevent  the  members  of  the  unlawful  body  from  visiting — for 
which  purpose  this  Grand  Lodge  enjoins  on  all  Lodges  under  its  juris- 
diction not  to  permit  any  persons  from  Louisiana  to  be  admitted  for 
examination  in  their  Lodges,  until  they  produce  the  certificate  of  the 
original  Grand  Lodgi  of  Louisiana. 

It  was  determined  that  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangel'st  should 
be  celebrated  by  an  addre-s  and  banquet,  and  the  committee  were  au- 
thorized to  select  the  Orator;  but  it  will  be  hereafter  seen  that  they 
were  not  successful  in  obtaining  the  services  of  a  brother  for  that  occa- 
sion. 

The  warrants  of  Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurensville,  and  Re- 
covery LoJge  No.  35,  at  Pendleton,  were  revived;  new  warrants  being 
granted  in  the  place  of  the  old  ones,  which  had  been  lost  or  destroyed. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Bro.  A.  E.  Miller  was  elected 
Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated,  but 
there  was  no  address.  The  Grand  Master  elect  having  been  installed 
by  Bio.  C.  M.  Furman,  Past  Grand  Master,  then  installed  the  other 
officers. 

The  Past  Grand  Master,  C.  M.  Furman,  received  the  thanks  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  "for  the  able,  dignified  and  impartial  manner  in  which 
he  had  presided,  as  well  as  for  the  zeal  which  he  had  manifested  for  the 
interest  of  the  Craft,"  and  was  constituted  a  life  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  celebration  of  the  day  was  concluded  by  a  banquet. 


IN  SOUTH   CAROLINA.  363 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

THE   YEAR    1S49. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1849; 

A.  E.  MlI.LER,   Giand  Master; 

J.  J.  CALDWELL,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Z.  B.  OAKES,  Senior  Grand   Warden; 

DANIEL  IIoRLBECK,  Junior  Grand   Warden; 

Henry  Reid,  Grand  Chaplain; 

John  II.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Albert  G.  MackeY,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

Alfred  Price,   ) 

N.  D'Alvigny,    J  *>enior  Grand  Deacon*i 

E.   Thayer,    \  T    •     n      j  n 

>  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 
H.  S.   Rice,    J 

P.  K.  CoBURN,  Grand  Marshal; 

T   11.  SalTar,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

T.  13.  Swift,  1 

r.    o     w*  f  Grand  iytucards: 

G.  S.   \\  0    D,      )  ' 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  7 //»-., 

Albert  G    Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  18th  January,  1840,  for  the  pu  pose 
of  iiisttllii.g  tlii'  I  Ii.m.  J.  J.  Caldwell,  Deputy  Grind  Master  elect,  who 
had  been  absent  at  the  time  ot'  installation  on  the  Festival  of  St. 
John. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  0th  of  March,  1849.  A  me.,  ber 
of  Lodge  No.  5  having  been  expelled  by  the  Lodge,  and  he  having  ap- 
pealed to  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  body  sustained  the  Lodge  in  its  verdict 
of  guilt,  but,  believing  that  the  punishment  was  excessive,  ordered  him 
to  be  restored  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry  upon  his  making 
a  suitable  apology,  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  Here, 
again,  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not  undertake  to  restore  to  membership,  be- 
cause their  act  of  restoration  was  the  result  of  clemency,  and  not  from 
n  denial  of  the  guilt  of  the  accused.     The  Grand  Lodge  never  has  ex- 


^4.  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

ercised  the  prerogative  of  restoration  to  membership,  except  as  an  act 
of  justice,  where  the  guilt  of  the  accused  has  been  clearly  disproved. 

A  person  residing  in  the  vicinity  of  Lodge  No.  12,  at  Branchville, 
had  presented  a  petition  to  Lodge  No.  9,  at  Charleston,  for  initiation, 
but  on  the  complaint  of  the  former  Lodge  the  Grand  Master  had  issued 
an  injunction  forbidding  the  initiation  of  the  candidate.  The  Master 
of  Lodge  No.  9,  nevertheless,  permitted  a  ballot  to  be  taken,  when  the 
candidate  was  rejected,  not,  however,  in  consequence  of  the  injunction, 
the  existence  of  which  had  not  been  made  known  by  the  Master  to  the 
Lodge  previous  to  the  ballot.  The  subject  was  brought  before  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  made  an  explanation  and  an 
apology,  and  the  matter  was  then,  with  the  consent  of  the  Grand 
Master,  dismiss  d. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  June,  1S49.  The  Master 
of  one  of  the  city  Lodges  was  severely  censured  for  attempting  to 
force  an  entrance  into  the  Lodge  room  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a 
meeting  on  Sunday  evening,  contrary  to  the  regulation  of  the  Hall 
Committee,  which  forbade  the  Lodge  room  to  be  used  on  Sundays. 

St.  John's  Lodge  No.  1,  of  Newark,  (New  Jersey,)  having  sent  a 
circular  to  the  Grand  Lodge  complaining  of  the  enforcement  of  the 
system  of  Grand  Lodge  certificates,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York,  and  asking  for  an  expression  of  opinion  on  this  subject,  the 
Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  write  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
Jersey,  to  inform  that  body  of  its  reception  of  the  circular,  and  to 
state  that  it  is  not  the  custom  of  this  Grand  Lodge  to  correspond  with 
Subordinate  Lodges,  of  another  jurisdiction,  on  the  subject  of  the 
general  regulations  of  the  Order,  but  to  express  a  willingness  to  consider 
any  communication  on  the  subject  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
Jersey.     But  no  communication  was  ever  made  in  reply. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  September,  1849.  The 
committee  on  the  differences  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  Louisi- 
ana and  Mississippi,  made  their  final  report,  which  has  already  been 
alluded  to. 

The  Grand  Lodge  established  a  new  regulation,  as  follows  : 

"  No  resident  of  this  State  shall  be  admitted  to  take  his  degrees  in 
any  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction,  unless  it  be  in  the  Lodge  nearest  his 
usual  place  of  residence,  without  special  dispensation ;  provided  this 
Rule  shall  not  apply  to  residents  in  the  Parishes  of  St.  Philip  and  St. 
Michael,  who  may  be  admitted  to  any  of  the  Charleston  Lodges." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ;J05 

The  adoption  of  this  wholesome  regulation  was  no  doubt  suggested 
by  the  difficulty  which  had  lately  occurred  between  Lodges  No.  9  and 
12,  at  Branchville  and  Charleston.  It  has  ever  since  been  rigidly  ad- 
hered to. 

Notice  was  received  of  the  schism  which  had  just  taken  place  in 
New  York,  by  which  two  Grand  Lodges  had  been  organized  in  that 
State.  The  subject  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  of  five,  con- 
sisting of  J.  H.  Honour,  C.  M.  Furman,  W.  B.  Foster,  Z.  B.  Oakes 
and  Daniel  Horlbeck. 

Special  Communication  on  the  29th  of  October,  1S49.  The  great 
business  of  this  Communication  was  the  reception  and  consideration  of 
the  report  of  the  committee  of  five,  to  whom  the  subject  of  the  schism 
in  the  jurisdiction  of  New  York  had  been  referred.  As  this  unfortu- 
nate difficulty  has  become  an  interesting  part  of  the  history  of  Masonry 
in  this  country,  and  as  the  same  constitutional  questions  which  were  at 
the  foundation  of  the  contest  in  New  York,  have  since  been  warmly 
agitated  in  this  jurisdiction,  and  lastly,  as  the  able  report  of  the  com- 
mittee is  as  creditable  to  them,  as  it  is  justly  expressive  of  the  true  Ma- 
sonic law  on  the  subject,  I  have  not  hesitated,  instead  of  giving  my 
own  views,  to  insert  the  whole  document,  unabridged  and  without 
further  comment.* 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  state  of 
the  controversy  between  the  two  bodies,  claiming  to  be  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York,  respectfully  report: 

That  they  have  given  to  the  subject  that  careful  attention  which  its 
great  importance  demands,  and  which  so  deeply  affects  the  peace  and 
harmony  of  a  sister  jurisdiction.  They  have  examined  various  docu- 
ments, emanating  from  both  the  parties  to  this  unhappy  controversy, 
from  which  they  have  made  the  following  synopsis  for  the  information 
of  the  Grand  Lodge: 

The  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  previous  to  tho 
annual  meeting  of  that  body  in  June  last,  recognized  Past  Masters  of 
Subordinate  Lodges  as  constituent  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  en- 
titled to  vote  upon  all  questions,  and  to  act  as  proxies  of  Lodges. 
Many  of  the  country  Lodges  were  dissatisfied  with  the  powers  thus 
possessed  by  the  Past  Masters,  because,  as  they  allege,  the  regulation 
in  its  practical  operation,  gave  to  the  Fraternity  of  one  sectiou  of  tho 

*  This  able  report  la  from  the  pen  of  Brother  John  H.  Honour,  the  Chuirman 
of  the  Committc 


3G(j  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

State  a  disproportionate  power  in  the  Grind  Lodge;  that  the  Officers 
and  Past  Masters  of  twenty  four  Lodges  in  the  city  of  New  York  m  ru 
entitled  tu  a  greater  number  of  votes  thu:>  the  Representatives  of 
seventy-three  Lodges  in  the  rest  of  the  State;  that  by  virtue  of  pre- 
siding over  a  Lodge  one  year,  a  Past  Master  became  a  member  for  life 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  a  ruler  for  life  over  the  whole  Fraternity  of 
the  State  :  and  that  he  eould  not  be  instructed  by  any  Lodge.  For 
these  and  other  reasons  not  necessary  to  be  enumerated,  resolutions 
were  introduced  into  the  Grand  Loljre,  at  the  Annual  Communication 
in  June,  1848,  amendatory  of  the  Constitution,  the  effect  of  which 
would  be  to  deprive  all  the  Past  Masters,  except  the  junior  one  in  each 
Lodge,  of  the  right  to  vote,  although  still  permitted  to  retain  their 
seats,  and  take  part  i.:  the  deliberations  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Past  Masters,  or  a  large  number  of  them,  attached  to  the  Lodges 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  opposed  the  proposed  amendments,  on  the 
ground,  principally,  that  according  to  the  original  Charter  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  under  the  Grand 
Mastership  ot  the  Duke  of  Athol,  in  1781,  constituting  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  Yrork,  Past  Masters  were  allowed  certain  inalien- 
able rights,  which  no  other  power  could,  at  any  subsequent  period, 
deprive  them  of;  and  that  the  proposed  change  would  be  a  violation  of 
those  vested  rights. 

To  this  it  is  answered,  that  if  such  a  right  had  been  guaranteed  to 
Past  Masters  by  the  charter  of  1781  (which  is  denied),  that  it  was  in 
contravention  of  the  ancient  Constitutions,  which  did  not  recognize 
Past  Masters  as  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all ;  and,  besides, 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  had  no  power,  under  any  circum- 
stances, to  control  the  action  of  those  who  should  come  after  them 
forever,  and  render  permanent  an  1  unchangeable  every  provision  which 
their  own  caprice  might  lead  them  to  insert  in  the  charter;  and,  fur- 
ther, that  the  warrant  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 
expressly  provided  that  it  should  continue  of  force  only  so  long  as  due 
obedience  was  paid  to  the  source  from  which  it  emanated.  That  in 
1785  a  Masonic  Constitution  was  formed  for  the  Fraternity  of  the  State 
of  New  York  as  an  independent  fraternity,  and  for  the  Grand  Lodgo 
as  an  independent  Grand  Lodge.  That  doubts  having  been  afterwards 
expressed,  whether  the  Grand  Lodge  was  or  should  be  held  under  the 
Provincial  Grand  Warrant,  a  committee  was  appointed  on  the  subject, 
who  reported  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was  established  upon 
a  Constitution  formed  by  tue  representatives  of  regular  Lodges;  which 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  307 

report  was  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  thus  declaring  that  their 
rights  as  a  Grand  Lodge  did  not  depend  upon  the  charter  granted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England;  but  upon  a  Constitution  formed  by  the 
representatives  of  the  Lodges,  subsequent  to  the  separation  of  the 
colonies  from  the  Crown  of  Great  Hritain. 

.  By  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  any  amend- 
ment, to  be  effective,  must  be  adopted  at  two  successive  Annual  Com- 
munications, unless  in  addition  to  the  adoption  at  one  Communication 
it  shall  receive  the  affirmative  votes  of  a  majority  of  the  Subordinate 
Lodges.  The  amendments  in  question  were  adopted  by  a  large  majority 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  Annual  Communication  in  June,  1848,  and 
were  sent  for  confirmation  or  rejection  to  the  Lodges.  At  the  Quarterly 
Communication  in  March,  1849,  a  series  of  resolutions  was  offered  by 
R.  \V.  Isaac  Phillips,  P.  D.  G.  M.,  condemning  the  proposed  amend- 
ments, and  declaring  them  unconstitutional  and  revolutionary  ;  and  that 
their  adoption,  either  by  the  Grand  Lodge  or  by  a  vote  of  the  Lodges, 
would  be  void  and  of  no  force.  The  Deputy  Grand  Master  presiding, 
refused  to  put  the  question,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  unconstitutional 
for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  act  at  a  Quarterly  Communication  on  any 
matter  which  interested  the  whole  body.  An  appeal  was  taken  fiom 
his  decision,  which  was  sustained  and  the  resolutions  adopted. 

At  the  Annual  Communication  in  June,  1849,  there  was  a  large  at- 
tendance of  members,  both  from  the  city  and  country.  The  Grand 
Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form,  the  Grand  Master,  John  D.  Willard, 
in  the  Chair.  The  Grand  Secretary,  before  calling  the  Lodges,  an- 
nounced officially  that  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  proposed  at 
the  previous  Annual  Communication,  had  been  adopted  by  a  majority 
of  the  Lodges.  This  announcement  produced  a  scene  of  confusion  and 
uproar  of  the  most  disgraceful  character,  and  utterly  unbecoming  Ma- 
sons, some  of  whom  had  been  distinguished  for  their  high  standing, 
intelligence,  and  praiseworthy  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  Frater- 
nity. Order  having  been  partially  restored,  the  roll  of  the  Lodges  was 
called,  when  it  appeared  that  seventy-six  Lodges  were  represented. 
The  Grand  Master  then  proceeded  to  read  his  annual  address,  but  was 
interrupted  by  a  call  for  the  reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  preceding 
Quarterly  Communication,  and  another  scene  of  confusion  and  disorder 
ensued.  The  Grand  Master  made  continued  efforts  to  restore  order, 
but  without  success.  The  gavel  ha'!  lost  its  controlling  influence.  He 
then  caiued  the  Ratal  of  Order  to  bo  read;  but  this  had  no  effect  in 
stilling  the  tempest.     After  some  time,  the   Grand   Master  Orutt  and 


36Q  UlSToRY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

stated  that,  for  the  sake  of  conciliation  and  harmony,  he  would  overlook 
the  gross  insult  which  had  been  offered  to  himself  and  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  would  cause  the  minutes  first  to  be  read.  This  was  done,  and  the 
Grand  Master  delivered  his  annual  address,  in  which  he  took  occasion 
to  communicate  officially  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  fact  of  the  adoption 
of  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution. 

As  soon  as  he  had  closed,  P.  D.  G.  M.  Isaac  Phillips  arose  and  in- 
quired of  the  Grand  Master  if  he  had  stated  that  the  amendments  to 
the  Constitution  were  binding  on  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Mas- 
ter replied  in  the  affirmative,  when  Brother  Phillips,  assuming  an 
elevated  position,  loudly  said,  "then  I  pronounce  that  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  State  of  New  York  is  dissolved."  The  Grand  Master  called 
him  to  order,  but  he  proceeded  to  address  those  who  were  opposed  to 
the  amendments,  calling  upon  them  to  assist  him  in  organizing  a 
Grand  Lodge,  nominating  R.  W.  William  Willis  as  chairman.  Brother 
Willis  api  roached  the  East,  mounted  the  platform  on  which  the  Grand 
Master  was  seated,  and  claimed  to  assume  the  post  as  chairman.  Re- 
peated efforts  were  made  bv  the  Grand  Master  to  restore  order,  but 
without  effect.  Brother  Willis  called  upon  the  Grand  Secretary  to  call 
the  roll  of  Lodges,  which  he  refused  to  do.  A  Brother  present  called 
over  the  roll  from  a  list  which  he  had  in  his  possession,  when  twenty- 
three  persons  answered,  who  claimed  to  be  the  representatives  of  Lodges, 
being  less  than  one-fourth  of  the  Lodges  in  the  State,  and  less  than 
one-third  of  the  Lodges  then  represented.  These  individuals  proceeded, 
in  presence  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  in  disregard  to  the  Grand  Master, 
who  still  retained  his  seat,  to  form  an  irregular  and  clandestine  body, 
calling  itself  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  and  electing  officers  viva 
voce.  Brother  Willis  then  moved  an  adjournment  until  the  next  even- 
ing, at  8  o'clock.  The  Grand  M aster  rose,  and  in  a  loud  voice  reminded 
those  present  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  not  about  to  adjourn,  but  would 
proceed  with  its  business.  After  some  time,  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned 
in  the  usual  form  to  the  next  morning  at  9  o'clock,  the  Grand  Master 
and  other  Grand  officers  having,  during  all  the  other  preceding  scenes, 
retained  their  seats,  and  worn  the  jewels  and  emblems  of  their  respect- 
ive offices.  The  Grand  Lodge  continued  its  sessions  from  day  to  day 
until  the  11th  of  June,  transacting  much  important  business,  when  it 
was  closed  in  ample  form,  having  first  expelled  several  of  the  refractory 
members  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Freemasonry. 

Thus  have  your  committee,  in  as  concise  a  manner  as  possible,  given 
a,  condensed  view  of  this  most  unfortunate  and  much  to  be  deplored 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  269 

transaction  ;  one  which  not  only  seriously  affects  the  Masonic  standing 
of  Brethren  who  have  been  heretofore  favorably  known  for  their  Ma- 
sonic worth  and  devotion  for  many  years  to  the  interests  of  the  Craft, 
but  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  operating  injuriously  upon  the  whole 
Fraternity,  and  affording  an  opportunity  for  the  profane  to  triumph  at 
the  dissensions  existing  among  those  who  profess  the  Strongest  attach- 
ment to  g<  od  order  and  decorum,  and  one  of  the  cardinal  virtues  of 
whose  faith  is  brotherly  love. 

It  may  n<  t,  perhaps,  be  properly  within  the  province  of  your  com- 
mittee to  give  an  opinion  as  to  the  merits  of  the  question  which 
produced  such  deplorable  results,  or  the  expediency  of  a  change  of  regu- 
lations which  had  o  long  existed  with'  ut  detriment  to  the  interests  of 
the  Craft,  and  which  in  our  owu  Grand  Lodge  have  been  found 
eminently  beneficial.  They  will,  tlierelore,  only  express  their  surprise 
that  any  number  of  intelligent  Masons  should  for  a  moment  claim  for 
Past  Masters  an  inherent  and  vested  right  to  membership  for  life  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  when  it  is  beyond  all  contradiction  certain  that  the  An- 
cient Constitutions  and  usages  uot  only  did  not  confer  such  privileges, 
but  did  not  recognize  them  as  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all,  the 
Ancient  Grund  Lodge  being  exclus  vely  ouirposed  of  the  Grand  Officers, 
Past  Ghaod  Officers,  and  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges.  Past  Mas- 
ters are  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  not  by  virtue 
of  any  "inherent  right,"  but  by  election  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  a 
written  application,  two-thirds  of  the  votes  of  the  members  present 
being  necessary  to  their  election,  besides  the  annual  payment  of  dues; 
a  neglect  to  pay  which,  for  one  year,  works  a  forfeiture  of  membership. 

It  is  preposterous  to  suppose  that  a  Grand  Lodge  has  not  the  power 
to  change  its  Constitution,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  in- 
strument itself,  provided  there  be  no  violation  of  the  ancient  landmarks; 
much  less  can  a  simple  announcement  from  the  chair,  of  the  adoption 
of  a  proposed  amendment,  or  its  actual  adoption  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
produce  a  dissolution  of  the  body.  If  an  unconstitutional  amendment 
should  be  adopted,  or  the  rights  of  members  infringed  by  a  deprivation 
of  their  franchise,  revolution  is  not  the  proper  mode  of  redress.  An 
earnest  appeal  should  be  made  to  the  justice  of  brethren,  which,  if  dis- 
regarded, would  warrant  a  resort  to  such  legal  measures  as  will  procure 
a  restoration  of  such  rights.  And  even  supposing  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York  had  lost  its  existence,  or  from  any  cause  whatever 
become  dissolved,  no  other  Graud  Lodge  could  be  organized  but  by  a 
24 


370  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

convention  held  for  the  purpose,  composed  of  delegates  from  all  the 
Subordinate  Lodges. 

In  conclusion,  your  committee  submit  for  the  consideration  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  the  following  resolutions  : 

1st.  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  have  learned 
with  deep  regret  of  the  unfortunate  schism  that  has  taken  place  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  and  earnestly  recommend  to  the  erring 
brethren*  return  to  the  principles  of  brotherly  love,  and  a  proper  sub- 
mission to  the  constituted  authorities,  so  that  peace  and  harmony  may 
be  restored,  and  confusion  and  anarchy  be  no  longer  suffered  to  exist 
among  members  of  the  Craft. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  we  fully  recognize  as  the  only  legitimate  Grand 
Lodge  in  the  State  of  New  York,  that  of  which  the  M.  W.  John  D. 
Willard  is  Grand  Master;  and  the  R.  \Y.  Robert  R.  Boyd  is  Grjnd 
Secretary;  that  we  will  continue  to  hold  fraternal  communication  with 
that  body,  and  with  no  other  claiming  similar  authority  in  that  State. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  the  Subordinate  Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction 
be  enjoined  to  exercise  the  strictest  scrutiny  in  the  examination  of 
visitors  hailing  from  New  York,  inasmuch  as  there  are  now  two  spurious 
bodies  in  that  State  claiming  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge;  one  calling  itself 
the  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  other  claiming  Isaac  Phillips  for 
its  Grand  Master;  and  that  they  admit  none  but  such  as  produce  proper 
certificates  emanating  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  recognized  in  the  second 
resolution . 

The  report  was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  Grand  Master  presented  the  Grand  Lodge  with  a  copy  of  the 
English  "Book  of  Constitutions,"  of  the  edition  of  the  year  1767, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  bound,  and  always  to  be  kept  on  the  Grand 
Master's  pedestal  during  the  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Bro.  A.  G.  Mackey  having  in  this  year  commenced  the  publication 
of  a  monthly  Masonic  journal,  entitled  "The  Southern  and  Western 
Masonic  Miscellany,"  which  was  the  first,  and  up  to  this  time  the  only, 
Masonic  periodical  ever  published  in  the  State,  it  was  recommended  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  patronage  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  December,  1849.  The 
Master  of  Lodge  No.  1,  having  stated  that  in  October,  a  petition  for 
initiation  in  that  Lodge  had  been  referred  to  a  committee  as  usual,  and 
that  in  December,  before  the  committee  had  reported,  a  motion  had 
been  made  to  ask  for  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  to  enable 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 


371 


the  petition  to  be  withdrawn  without  a  ballot,  then  enquired  if  it  was 
competent  for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  grant  such  dispensation.  In  reply, 
the  Grand  Master,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  referred 
hi.n  to  Rule  XIX,  Section  8,  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  informed  him  that  no  such  dispensation  could  be 
granted,  as  a  withdrawal  of  a  petition  would  be  considered  as  equivalent 
to  a  rejection. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  proposing  a  Convention  of  Delegates  from  Grand  Lodges 
to  ba  holden  at  Washington,  in  May  next,  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
a  Constitution  for  a  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  This 
communication  was  referred  to  a  special  committee. 

The  Grand  Lodge  determined  to  celebrate  the  Festival  of  St.  Johu 
by  an  address  and  a  ba:  quet,  and  Dr.  A.  G.  Mackey  was  elected  the 
Orator  for  the  occasion.  s 

^  Warrants  of  Constitution  were  granted  to  Oman  Lodge  No.  69,  at 
Fork  Sh.als,  Greenville  District;  Spartan  Lodge  No.  70,  at  Spartan- 
burg C.  H.;  Kgeria  Lodge  No.  71,  at  Ridgeville;  and  St.  David's 
Lodge  No.  72,  at  Darlington  C.  H. 

The  warrant  of  Recovery  Lodge  No.  31,  at  Greenville,  was  restored. 
The  annual  election   took  place,  and   A.    E.   Miller  was  reelected 
Grand  Master. 

Tne  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated. 
Brother  A.  E.  Miller,  Grand  Master  elect,  having  been  installed  by 
Brother  C.  M.  Furman,  Past  Grand  Mus'er,  then 'proceeded  to  install 
the  other  officers,  after  which  an  address  "On  the  Origin  of  Free- 
masonry"  was  delivered  by  Dr.  A.  G.  Mackey,  aud  the  celebration  of 
the  day  was  concluded  by  a  banquet. 


gfg  HISTORY  OF  FR£EMASUNKY 


CHAPTER  XLIIL 

THE    YEAK    1850, 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1850 : 

A.  E.  Miller,  Grand  Master; 

J.  J.  Caldwell,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 

Z.  B.  OAKES,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

Daniel  Horlbeck,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Henry  Reid,  Grand  Chaplain  ; 

John  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

Alfred  Price,  \        . 

-o    TT  i  senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

E.  Huchet,         )  ' 

?:EsRri,  }---—• 

P.  K.  COBURN,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

T.  B.  Swift,    \ 

n    o    txt  f  Grand  Stewards; 

G.  S.  Wood,    J 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  March,  1850.  An  applica- 
tion had  been  made,  some  time  previous,  for  assistance  in  the  great 
enterprise  of  erecting  a  monument  to  Washington.  The  application 
had  been  referred  to  a  committee,  who  now  asked  to  be  discharged,  and, 
in  consequence,  the  subject  was  dismissed.  On  a  subsequent  occasion, 
when  a  call  was  made  for  aid  in  the  purchase  of  Mount  Vernon,  the 
Fraternity  of  South  Carolina  showed  a  juster  appreciation  of  what  was 
due  to  the  memory  of  their  great  brother. 

The  Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  report  from  the  committee  to  whom  the 
proposition  for  a  General  Grand  Lodge  had  been  referred,  which  was 
adverse  to  the  project. 

A  new  regulation  was  adopted,  that  "all  ballotings  for  candidates 
and  trials  of  brethren  should  take  place  in  the  third  degree." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  373 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Strict  Observance  Lodge  No.  73,  in  the 
city  of  Charleston. 

The  commissions  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  on  all  rents  collected  by 
him  were  reduced  from  7  J  to  5  per  cent. 

Special  Communication  on  the  14th  of  March,  1850.  It  was  called 
on  account  of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  John  James  Caldwell,  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  who  died  at  his  residence  in  Columbia  ou  the  llth  inst. 
A  tribute  of  respect  was  paid  to  his  memory  iu  the  unanimous  adoption 
of  a  suitable  preamble  and  resolutions.  I  had  the  honor  and  the 
pleasure  of  a  long  acquaintance  with  him,  and  can  truly  repeat,  after  this 
interval  of  many  years,  what  I  then  said  in  the  moment  of  grief,  that 
he  was  well  skilled  in  the  mysteries  of  the  Craft,  and  that  his  love  of 
Masonry  kept  pace  with  his  knowledge  of  its  principles.  Amiable  in 
deportment,  and  accomplished  in  intellect,  his  virtues  adorned,  as  his 
wisdom  instructed,  the  Fraternity. 

Special  Communication  on  the  25th  of  April,  1850.  John  C.  Cal- 
houn, the  distinguished  statesman  of  South  Carolina,  having  died  in 
the  city  of  Washington ,  his  remains  were  brought  to  Charleston  to  be 
there  interred.  A  large  civil  and  military  procession,  the  largest  per- 
haps ever  known  in  Charleston,  was  organized  to  receive  the  body  on 
its  arrival  at  the  wharf  and  to  conduct  it  to  the  City  Hall,  where  it  was 
to  remain  in  state  until  the  next  day.  The  Grand  Lodge,  like  every 
other  society  in  the  city,  had  accepted  the  invitation  to  take  part  in 
the  ceremony.  On  this  occasion  the  record  informs  us  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  not  opened  in  the  third  but  in  the  first  degree,  nor  was 
the  procession  formed  in  funeral  order,  because  Mr.  Calhoun  was  not  a 
Mason,  and  his  remains  were  not,  therefore,  entitled  to  the  funeral 
honors  of  the  Order. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  June,  1850.  A  Mason 
living  in  Georgia  preferred  charges  against  a  member  of  one  of  the 
city  Lodges.  The  charges  were  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  that 
body  refusing  to  take  immediate  jurisdiction,  referred  them  for  trial  to 
the  Lodge  of  which  the  accused  was  a  member. 

Quarterly  Communication  ou  the  3d  of  September,  1850.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Constitution  which  had  lately  been  adopted,  no  one  could 
act  as  the  proxy  of  a  Subordinate  Lodge  unless  he  were  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  nor  could  any  member  be  the  proxy  of  more  than 
one  Lodge  at  a  time.  But  as  the  Lodges  were  now  rapidly  increasing, 
it  was  fouud  that  there  were  hardly  members  enough  in  the  Grand 


374  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodge  to  give  to  eadb'Lcdge  a  separate  proxy.  A  new  regulation  was, 
therefore,  now  adopted,  which  permitted  a  member  to  represent  two 
Lodges.  To  this  regulation,  which  concentrated  much  power  in  the 
hands  of  the  fortunate  possessors  of  the  proxies,  giving  to  eacu  one 
two  votes  besides  his  own  as  a  member,  much  opposition  was  made  at 
the  time  by  the  minority,  and  at  the  very  next  Communication  an  un- 
successful effort  was  made  to  restore  the  old  regulation.  The  opposition 
thus  aroused  in  the  minority,  may  be  considered  as  the  commencement 
of  that  reformation,  which  some  years  afterwards  was  consummated  in 
the  total  abolition  of  the  proxy  system. 

The  difficulty  and  expense  attending  the  burial  of  persons,  and  es- 
pecially strangers,  in  the  church  yards  of  the  city,  and  the  very  general 
objection  that  was  beginning  to  be  excited  against  intra-mural  inter- 
ment, had  led  to  the  organization  of  a  Company,  and  the  establishment 
of  "Magnolia  Cemetery"  in  the  suburbs  of  'Charleston.  Lots  in  this 
burying-ground  were  disposed  of  at  moderate  rates,  and  several  socie- 
ties as  well  as  individuals  had  availed  themselves  of  the  advantages 
thus  offered,  and  had  become  the  purchasers  of  burial  lots  in  the 
grounds  of  the  cemetery.  The  Masonic  Benevolent  Society,  an  asso- 
ciation not  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  although 
consisting  of  Master  Masons,  who  were  members  of  city  Lodges,  had 
directed  its  attention  to  this  matter,  and  sent  a  letter  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  in  which  the  propriety  of  purchasing  one  or  more  lots  in  the 
Magnolia  Cemetery  for  a  Masonic  burial  ground  was  brought  to  its 
notice,  and  the  request  was  made,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  would  bring 
the  subject  to  the  view  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges.  The  Grand  Lodge 
accordingly  recommended  the  object  to  the  consideration  of  its  Subor- 
dinates as  one  worthy  of  their  patronage.  Nothing  was  immediately 
done,  but  it  will  hereafter  be  seen  that  fortuitous  circumstances  subse- 
quently enabled  the  Fraternity  to  make  the  purchase,  and  to  acquire  in 
this  beautiful  cemetery  a  resting-place  for  sojourning  brethren  who 
might  die  in  the  city. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Washington  Lodge  No.  74,  at  Midway,  in 
Abbeville  District. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  December,  1850.  This 
being  the  constitutional  night  for  the  election  of  Grand  Officers, 
Brother  A.  E.  Miller  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

Special  Communication  on  the  16th  of  December,  1850.  Tlrs  was 
an  interesting  Communication,  and  the  proper  mode  of  observing  a 
particular  ritualistic  ceremony  was  made  the  subject  of  a  warm  and 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  375 

protracted  debate.  Unfortunately,  the  topic  that  then  engaged  the 
attention  of  :he  Grand  Lodge  is  so  intimately  connected  with  the 
esoteric  usages  of  the  Order,  that  I  am  precluded  from  speaking  of  it 
with  that  perspicuity  which  would  secure  its  thorough  comprehension. 
The  circumstances  can  only  be  alluded  to.  At  a  meeting  in  November 
of  one  of  the  Lodges  of  the  city,  the  greater  part  of  whose  members 
were  Israelites,  the  Grand  Master  being  present,  an  attempt  was  made, 
aud  subsequently  persisted  in,  (the  Grand  Master  having  retired  after 
a  solemn  protest,)  to  invest  the  candidate  with  the  obligations  of  duty 
in  the  first  degree,  while  in  a  posture  that  was  entirely  at  variance  with 
the  ancient  usage.  The  reason  assigned  was,  that  a  Jew  is  not  per- 
mitted to  perform  a  religious  ceremony  in  any  other  posture  than  a 
standing  one.  The  Grand  Master  reported  the  affair  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  at  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  December,  when  it  was  re- 
ferred to  a  committee,  who  made  their  report  at  this  Communication. 
The  report  of  the  committee,  which  of  course  was  verbal,  was,  that  the 
ceremony  alluded  to  could  not  be  looked  upon  in  the  light  of  a  reli- 
gious one,  and  even  if  it  were,  as  it  constituted  a  part  of  the  ritual 
always  piacticed  in  this  aud  every  other  jurisdiction,  and  was  necessary 
to  be  performed  on  account  of  its  symbolic  character  and  meaning,  it 
could  not  under  any  circumstances  be  omitted,  or  in  the  slightest  degree 
altered,  but  that  the  usual  form  of  administering  the  OB.  must  be 
strictly  observed.  In  these  views  the  Grand  Lodge  concurred,  and  the 
Lodge  was  directed  to  abandon  the  innovation  and  to  return  to  the 
ancient  usage.  It  is  but  fair  to  say,  that  when  this  decree  was  com- 
municated to  the  Lodge,  it  at  once  yielded  obedience  and  submitted  to 
a  change  in  its  customs  in  this  respect,  nor  has  any  difficulty  since 
occurred  on  the  subject. 

Bro.  Daniel  Horlbeck,  who  at  the  last  Communication  had  been 
elected  Deputy  Grand  Master,  having  declined  to  serve,  a  new  election 
was  held,  and  Bro.  Edgar  W.  Charles  was  elected  in  his  place. 

Warrants  were  granted  to  Union  Lodge  No.  75,  at  Unionville,  and 
Landmark  Lodge  No.  76,  at  Charleston. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  The 
Grand  Master  elect  having  been  installed  by  Bro.  C.  M.  Furman,  Past 
Grand  Master,  then  proceeded  to  install  such  of  the  other  officers  as 
were  present. 

On  assuming  the  chair,  the  Grand  Master  addressed  the  Grand 
Lodge  on  the  prosperous  conditiou  of  the  Order.  Iu  the  course  of  his 
remarks  he  took  occasion  to  regret  that  the  Lodges  iu  other  parts  of 


376  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

the  State  did  not  each  send  at  least  one  of  their  representatives  to  the 
Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  "by  so  doing  the  Craft  would 
have  a  more  direct  voice  in  the  government  of  the  whole  body  than 
they  now  have  by  the  use  of  proxies,"  which  system  he  admitted  did 
"but  place  the  management  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  hands  of  a 
few."  The  proxy  system  was  indeed  beginning  to  totter  when  we  find 
it  thus  characterized  by  a  venerable  presiding  officer.  The  time  of  its 
fall  was  not  far  distant. 

The  celebration  of  the  day  was  concluded,  as  usual,  by  a  banquet, 
but  there  was  uo  address. 


LNT  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  377 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

THE    YEAR    1851. 

Offic  RS  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  \ ear  1851  : 

A.   R.  MlLLER,    Grand    Master; 

E.   W.  Ch\RLES,   Deputy  Grain/  Master; 

W.  A.  Clevkland,  Senior  Gram/  Wan/en; 

Alfred  Price,  Junior  Gram/  Warden; 

THOS.  S.  ARTHUR,   Grand  Chaplain; 

John  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

H.  S.  Rice,  >        . 

„   m  r  senior  Grand  Deacons; 

E.  Thayer,  ) 

John  A.  Gyles,  \        . 
.     T  [Junior  Grand  Deacons ; 

A.  Isaacs,  ) 

S.  J.  Hull,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  R.  Saltar,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

W.  A.  Gourdin,  ) 

T  ,,  f  Grand  steucaids; 

Lemuel  Crane,  ) 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler. 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  14th  of  February,  1851.  This  meet- 
ing was  called  for  the  purpose  of  installing  certain  Grand  Officers,  who 
had  been  absent  on  the  constitutional  day  of  installation. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  March,  1851.  A  warrant 
was  granted  to  Mackey  Lodge  No.  77,  at  Harleesville. 

The  salary  of  the  Grand  Secretary  was  raised  to  four  hundred  dol- 
lars. 

An  important  measure  was  adopted  at  this  Communication.  It  has 
already  been  seen  that  in  the  year  1807  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons  had  appointed  Dr.  Fred.  Dalcho  to  prepare  an  "  Ahiman 
Rezon,"  or  Book  of  Constitutions,  which  should  prescribe  a  uniformity 
ia  the  usages  of  the  Craft  under  its  jurisdiction.  Such  a  work  was 
accordingly  compiled  and  published  in  that  year,  and  was  ad>  pted  as 
the  Book  of  Constitutions  of  that  body,  until  its  dissolutiou  in  the 


378  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

year  1817.  When,  in  that  year,  the  present  Grand  Lodge  was  formed 
by  the  u'nion  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  which,  until  then,  had  had  a  sepa- 
rate existence  and  been  in  a  condition  of  rivalry  in  the  State,  the  old 
Ahiman  Rezon  could  no  longer  be  continued  in  use  in  consequence  of 
the  chatge  that  had  taken  place  in  many  of  the  regulations.  Accord- 
ingly, by  order  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge,  a  new  edition  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon  was  prepared  by  Dr.  Dalcho,  and  published  in  the 
year  182'?.  This  work,  not  having  been  stereotyped,  was  now  what  is 
technically  called  out  of  print.  A  great  number  of  new  Lodges  bad 
been  recently  constituted,  and  the  greatest  difficulty  was  experienced 
by  them  in  obtaining  copies.  This  circumstance,  together  with  the 
fact  that  since  1822  many  new  regulations  had  been  adopted,  seemed 
imperatively  to  call  for  the  preparation  and  publication  of  a  new  edition 
of  the  Ahiman  Rezon.  At  this  communication,  therefore,  the  Grand 
Lodge,  taking  these  things  into  consideration,  appointed  a  committee 
consisting  of  all  jhe  Grand  Officers,  to  revise  and  republish  the  Ahiman 
Rezon  for  the  use  of  the  Lodges  in  the  State. 

The  committee  having  met  and  determined  on  the  character  of  the 
work  which  was  to  be  presented  to  the  Craft,  appointed  Dr  Albert  G. 
Mackey  to  edit  the  work  and  to  compile  and  prepare  it  for  the  prpss. 
The  work  having  been  completed  during  the  autumn  of  1851,  was  laid 
by  the  editor  before  the  committee,  who,  after  a  careful  examination 
of  it,  presented  it  to  the  Grand  Lodge  with   the  following  report  : 

"  That  they  have  carefully  examined  the  proposed  edition  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon,  or  Book  of  Constitutions,  and  find  it  to  be  perfectly 
consistent  with  the  Ancient  Landmarks  and  Constitutions  of  the  Order, 
and  conformable  to  the  usages  and  customs  of  the  Craft  in  South  Caro- 
lina. 

"  Your  committee,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  new  edition  of  the 
Ahiman  Rezon,  prepared  by  our  Worshipful  Brother,  Albert  G. 
Mackey,  Grand  Secretary,  be  adopted  as  the  Book  of  Constitutions  of 
this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  the  Grand  Lodge  do 
order  and  direct  the  several  Lodges  under  its  Masonic  jurisdiction  to 
adopt  and  use  the  same  in  all  their  work,  and  be  governed  by  the  prin- 
ciples and  regulations  thereof,  and  by  none  other." 

The  report  was  accepted,  and  the  Ahiman  Rezon  thus  prepared  was 
adopted  on  the  20th  of  December,  1852,  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  with 
the  following  sanction  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Ahiman  Rezon,  or  Book  of  Constitutions,  pre- 
pared by  Worshipful  Brother  A.  G.  Mackey,  under  the  sanction  and 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

authority  of  this  Grand  Lodge, be,  and  hereby  is,  adopted.as  the  Buck 
of  Constitutions,  for  the  use  and  government  of  this  Grand  Lodge  and 
the  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  and  that  they  be  required  to  use  it 
and  none  other." 

The  work  was  published  in  1852,  under  the  title  of  "The  Ahiman 
Rezori,  or  Book  of  Constitutions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  South  Carolina,  with  a  system  of  Monitorial  Instruc- 
tion, adapted  to  the  work  as  practiced  in  this  jurisdiction.  Compiled 
aid  arranged  by  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  published 
under  its  sanction.  Edited  by  Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D,  Grand  Sec- 
retary and  Grand  Lecturer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
author  of  a  'Lexicon  of  freemasonry,'  &c.  Charleston,  1852." 

Qu  rterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  June,  1851  In  the  great 
fire  of  1 80S,  the  copperplate  of  the  Masonic  diploma  or  certificate 
belonging  to  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  destroyed,  and  for  so-,  e  time 
there  had  been  great  difficulty  in  obtaining  blank  certificates,  recourse 
being  generally  had  to  coarsely  printed  ones.  But  at  this  Communica- 
tion \V.  L.  Cleveland,  to  whom  the  duty  had  been  entrusted,  inf.irmed 
the  Grand  Lodge  that  a  form  had  been  prepared  and  lithographed  for 
the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  Grand 
Lodge  having  allowed  the  furnishing  of  these  certil'cate-  to  become  a 
private  speculation,  the  stone  never  came  into  its  possession,  and  has 
since,  1  understand,  been  lost,  while  the  copies  made  from  it  are 
already  nearly  exhausted. 

The  Grand  Lodge  abolished  all  fees  for  dispensations  to  confer 
degrcQS  at  unusual  or  irregular  periods. 

The  passage  of  so  many  Americans  over  the  isthmus  of  Darien,  in 
their  voyage  from  the  Atlantic  States  to  California,  gave  occasion  to 
much  distress  and  privation  among  these  travelers,  many  of  whom 
were  Masons.  The  resident  brethren  at  Panama,  as  a  means  of  re- 
lieving this  distress,  had  obtained  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas  a 
warrant  for  constituting  a  Lodge  in  that  place,  and  having  established 
it  as  a  Masonic  Missionary  Station,  it  made  application  to  the  different 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union  for  assistance.  The  Grand  Lodgi 
South  Carolina  agreed  to  appropriate $25  towards  that  object  whene\  r 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  the  jurisdiction  should  contribute  .s](J0. 
The  Bum  was  however  never  contributed. 

Warrants  were  granted  tor  constituting  Philanthropic  Lodge  S 
;;t  Vorkville,  and  Keowee  Ledge  No.  79,  at  Pickens  C.  lb 

Solomon's   Lodg<    x  .   1   having  asked  permission  to  invest  its  funds 


380  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

in  its  own  name,  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  that  no  action  on  this 
application  was  necessary,  as  every  Lodge  is  permitted  to  make  such 
investment. 

Quarterly  Communication  ou  the  2d  of  September,  1851.  The 
Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  regulation  prescribing  that  all  amendments  to 
the  Constitution  must  be  proposed  and  discussed  at  a  regular  Quarterly 
Communication  previous  to  the  Communication  in  March,  but  should 
not  be  acted  on  until  the  qu  rterly  meeting  in  that  month.  This  was 
adopted  undoubtedly  to  avoid  the  continual  habit  of  tinkering  with  the 
Constitution,  which  was  then  apparently  getting  into  fashion.  Scarce'y 
a  meeti  g  took  place  in  which  some  amendment  (and  many  of  them 
were  alterations  rather  than  amendments,)  was  not  proposed. 

Another  important  regulation  was  adopted,  that  no  Lodge  should 
initiate,  pass  or  raise  any  candidate  who  had  not  resided  in  the  State 
for  twelve  consecutive  months  previous  to  his  application,  and  in  the 
case  of  mariners  they  must  have  sailed  from  some  port  in  the  State  for 
the  same  length  of  time. 

The  Grand  Lodge  also  determined  that  no  question  in  that  body 
should  be  decided  viva  voce  without  the  unanimous  consent  of  all  the 
members  present. 

Warrants  were  granted  to  Calhoun  Lodge  No.  81,  at  Glenn  Springs, 
Caldwell  Lodge  No.  82,  at  Liberty  Hill  or  Longmire's  Store,  and  Little 
Pee  Dee  Lodge  No.  83,  at  Allen's  Bridge. 

Unity  Lodge  No.  55,  at  Walterboro,  acting  under  dispensation, 
having  asked  for  a  revival  of  its  constitution,  it  was  ordered  that  the 
dispensation  be  continued  until  the  next  Quarterly  Communication,  and 
that,  in  the  meantime,  the  Lodge  be  directed  to  report  what  was  the 
amount  due  and  the  value  of  the  property  owned  by  the  old  Lodge  in 
that  place. 

About  this  time  occurred  an  instance  of  pure  and  unobtrusive  charity 
that  is  well  worthy  of  being  recorded.  Several  of  the  American 
Grand  Lodges  received  in  the  year  1851,  from  some  unknown  source, 
a  contribution  for  the  purpose  of  charitable  disposition.  The  amount 
bestowed  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  two  hundred 
dollars,  and  all  that  is  known  of  the  generous  donor  is  contained  in  the 
letter  of  his  agent,  who,  in  transmitting  the  draft  for  the  amount, 
accompanied  it  with  the  following  information  : 

'•  It  is  a  donation  from  an  English  brother,  whose  name  I  am  di- 
rected to  conceal,  and  by  his  directions  $150  of  it  are  to  be  appro- 
priated by  your  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Chanty  fund  of  such  Subordinate 


IN  S0U3JH  CAROLINA.  :;>] 

Lodges  as  stand  in  need,  and  the  residue  the  Grand  Lodge  will  appro- 
priate for  the  good  of  the  Fraternity,  as  in  its  judgment  is  best." 

Of  the  amount  thus  received,  fifty  dollars  were  at  once  appropriated 
to  assist  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  a  young  lady,  the  daughter  of  a 
deceased  Mason,  who  was  at  that  time  receiving  her  education  at  the 
expense  of  the  Cra!t  in  the  State.  The  remainder  was,  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Masters  of  the  city  Lodges,  appropriated  to  increase 
the  food  then  being  raised  for  the  purchase  of  a  cemetery  in  which 
brethren  who  might  die  in  indigent  circumstances  were  to  bo  buried. 
The  lot  was  by  these  means  subsequently  purchased. 

Special  Communication  on  the  22d  of  October,  1851.  The  Grind 
Lodge  was  principally  occupied  in  determining  in  what  way  the 
approaching  Festival  of  St  John  should  be  celebrated.  The  Grand 
Master  presented  the  Grand  Lodg  with  a  portrait  of  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, clothed  in  Masonic  costume. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  December,  1851.  The 
well  attested  records  of  the  Lodge  at  Fredericksburg,  in  Virginia,  had 
shown  that  the  illustrious  George  Washington  had  been  initiated  in 
that  Lodge  on  the  4th  of  November,  1752.  A  century  was  now  soon  to 
close  since  that  in  teres  tins:  event  had  taken  place,  and  the  Craft  through- 
out the  whole  country  had  determined  to  demonstrate  their  veneration 
for  the  character  of  the  beloved  Washington  by  celebrating  the  cen- 
tennial anniversary  of  his  initiation  into  our  Order.  The  idea  was  a 
popular  one.  It  was  a  fitting  occasion  to  demonstrate  the  love  of  all 
Mas  ins  for  the  common  father  of  their  country,  and  to  bring  promi- 
nently to  the  notice  of  the  woild  the  intimate  relationship  which  had 
existed  between  him  and  the  Fraternity.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  was  uot  indifferent  to  these  feelings,  and,  with  great  unanimity, 
it  was  determined  that  the  day  should  be  celebrated  in  the  city  by  a 
public  processiou,  address  and  banquet.  The  Lodges  in  the  country 
were  requested  either  to  unite  with  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  celebra- 
tion, by  sending  delegates,  or  to  celebrate  it  themselves  in  their  own 
local  jurisdictions. 

The  warrant  of  the  traveling  Lodge  which  had  been  granted  to  the 
Masons  of  the  South  Carolina  regiment  during  the.  Mexican  war, 
under  the  name  of  "  Palmetto  Lodge,"  having  been  lost  after  the 
close  of  the  war  and  the  extinction  of  the  Lodge,  was  found  in  Ala- 
bama, and,  at  this  Communication,  restored  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  in 
whose  archives  it  still  remains. 


3$2  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  warrant  of  Unity  Lodge  No.  55,  at  Waltcrb.ro,  was  ordered  to 
be  restored 

The  Grand  Master  addres'ed  the  Gran.)  Lodge,  and  in  the  course  of 
his  remarks  suggested  as  highly  expedient  a  constant  intercommunica- 
tion with  other  Grand  Lodges,  the  establishment  of  a  school  or  schools 
for  the  education  of  the  orphan  children  of  deceased  Masons,  and  the 
steady  support  of  a  Masonic  paper  or  magazine. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  weie  returned  to  Brother  A.  E. 
Miller,  Grand  Master,  for  th"  urbanity  and  dignity  with  which  he  had 
presided  over  the  Grand  Lodge;  he  was  elected  a  life  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  Past  Grand 
Master's  jewel  to  be  presented  to  him. 

The  new  edition  of  the  Alii  nan  liezon  hiving  now  been  finished, 
was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  ad  ipted  by  that  body  * 

This  being  the  constitutional  night  of  election,  the  Grand  Lodge 
proceeded  to  the  election  of  its  officers.  Brother  Kdgai  W.  Charles, 
of  Darlington,  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  by  the  usual 
banquet.  There  was  neither  procession  nor  address.  Brother  A.  E. 
Miller,  Past  Grand  Master,  installed  Brother  Edgar  W.  Charles,  Grand 
Master  elect,  who  then  installed  the  other  offi.ers. 

The  jewel  which  had  been  ordered  to  bj  prepared  for  presentation  to 
Brother  Miller,  being  finished,  was  now  presented  by  Brother  A.  G. 
Mackey,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  a  suitable  address,  to 
which  Brother  Miller  made  an  appropriate  reply. 

The  condition  of  the  Order  in  the  State  at  this  time  was  that  of 
great  prosperity.  The  old  Lodges  had  greatly  increased  the  numbers  of 
their  members,  and  many  new  Lodges'  had  been  constituted.  The 
Grand  Secretary  iu  closing  his  annual  report  felt  himself  authorized  to 
make  the  following  remarks  on  this  subject,  which  are  here  quoted  as 
a  fair  exposition  of  the  state  of  Masonry  in  South  Carolina  at  the  end 
of  the  year  1851 : 

"In  our  own  jurisdiction  the  present  year  has  been  marked  with  au 
unprecedented  state  of  prosperity  in  the  Craft.  The  old  Lodges  have 
been  greatiy  augmented  in  numbers,  and  many  new  ones  have  been  con- 
stituted.    The  report  of  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  has  shown  the  pros- 

*  The  sanction  which  was  adopted  at  this  meeting  has  already  been  given  on  a 
preceding  page. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  3^3 

pcrous  condition  of  the  Lodges  in  the  city.  Having  during  the  two 
preceding  yeais  visited  nearly  every  Lodge  in  the  State,  I  have  during 
the  past  twelve  months  made  fewer  visitations  than  usual.  But  wherever 
I  have  been,  I  have  been  gratified  with  the  sight  of  prosperous  Lodges, 
zealous,  active  and  intelligent  masters,  and  with  the  general  desire  of 
all  the  brotherhood,  with  but  very  rare  exceptions,  to  increase  by  care- 
ful study  and  persevering  application  their  amount  of  Masonic  know- 
ledge. I  know  of  no  greater  change  in  public  sentiment  than  that 
which  is  now  shown  by  the  Fraternity  in  the  view  that  they  are  begin- 
ning to  take  of  the  true  design  and  object  of  Freemasonry.  They  no 
longer  consider  it,  as  their  fathers  once  did,  as  a  simply  social  and  cou- 
vivial,  or,  at  best,  charitable  society,  but  as  a  great  scientific  and  re- 
ligious institution,  whose  intention  is  to  improve  the  head  ad  purify 
the  heart.  They  now  begin  fully  and  truly  to  appreciate  that  noble  de- 
finition, that  'Freemasonry  is  a  beautiful  syste  ::  of  morality,  veiled  in 
allegory  and  illustrated  by  symbols.'  At  the  termination  of  a  life, 
many  years  of  which  have  been  spent  in  the  arduous  investigation  of 
Masonic  science,  I  could  ask  no  higher  reward  than  the  consciousness 
that  my  humble  teachings  to  the  Fraternity  of  this  State  have  been  in 
the  slightest  degree  instrumental  in  advancing  these  elevated  views  of 
the  nature,  the  design  and  the  ultimate  object  of  our  beloved  Institu- 
tion." 


38±  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

THE    YEAR    1852. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1852: 

E.  W.  Charles,  Grand  Master  ; 

W.  L.  Cleveland,  Deputy  Gram?  Mister; 

ALFRED   PRICE,   Senior  Grata/   Warden; 
E.  TlIAYER,  Junior  Grand   Warden  ; 
E.  B.  Hokt,   Grand  Chaplain  ; 
John   II.   II  »NOUT,   Grand,   Treasurer; 
A.  G.   MACKEY,  M.D.,   Grand  Secretary  ; 

E.    Bull,        )         . 

0      T      ,,  r  Senior  Grand  JJearons ; 

8.    J.    Hull,  ) 


f  Junior   Grand  Deacons; 
DWIN,  I 


Z.    Waldron,  ) 

rT  f  Grand  stewards; 

IN     LiERRON,         ) 


Alex    Isaacs 
Geo.    M.    Goo 

J.  B.  FRASER,   Grand  Marshal ; 

Lemuel  Crane,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

G.    Z.    Waldron, 

Joh 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler ; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  M.D.,  Grand  Lecturer. 


Qu  irteily  Communication  on  the  2d  of  March,  1852.  La  Candeur 
Lodge  NT<>  36  svrrendered  its  warrant  of  c  institution.  This  was  a  very 
old  S.odgo,  winch  had  worked  in  the  Modern  or  French  Hite,  and  in 
the  French  language.  All  its  members  were  attached  to  the  Roman 
Church,  and  it  is  said  that  religious  opposition  had  at  length  produced 
its  dissolution.  It  was,  however,  at  a  later  period  revived,  but  no 
longer  works  either  in  the  French  Rite  or  language.  Ou  its  dissolu- 
tion, the  small  amount  of  funds  in  the  treasury,  alter  the  p:  yment  of 
its  debts,  was  appropriated  by  the  Lodge  for  the  payment  of  the  affilia- 
tion fee  of  several  of  its  members  into  other  Lodges,  which  occasioned 
the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  6th  of  April,  to  express  "its  disapprobation 
of  any  Lodge  making  a  distribution  of  its  funds  preparatory  to  surien- 
dering  its  warrant,  as  the  said  lunds  revert  to  the  Graud  Lodge,  to  be 
held  in  trust  until  said  Lodire  be  resuscitated." 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Special  Communication  on  the  6th  of  April,  1852.  A  committer 
was  appointed  to  sele-.t  and  purchase  one  or  more  lots. in  Magnolia 
Cemetery,  for  the  purpose  of  a  Masonic  hurial  ground,  for  which  pur- 
pose the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Subordinate  Lodges  and  the  Masonic  Be- 
nevolent Society  had  contributed  funds. 

Special  Communication  on  the  1st  of  June,  1852.  The  committee 
Oil  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  Washington's  initiation,  reported  the 
form  and  regulations  of  the  procession  which  they  had  adopted.  As 
the  order  of  the  procession  differed  from  that  which  had  always  hitherto 
been  observed  in  this  jurisdiction,  it  may  be  as  well  to  record  it  here. 

The  Subordinate  Lodges  were  to  walk  according  to  seniority;  Junior 
first,  and  the  members  of  each  in  the  following  order: 

Tiler  (with  his  Sword). 

Two  Stewards  (with  white  rods). 

Entered  Apprentices  (two  and  two). 

Fellow  Crafts  (two  and  two). 

Master  Masons  (two  and  two). 

Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Past  Masters  (two  and  two). 

Junior  Warden  and  Senior  Warden  (with  Columns). 

The  Lodge  Banner. 

Junior  Deacon.      Master.     Senior  Deacon. 

Visiting  Brethren  (two  and  two). 

Masons  of  such  of  the  higher  degrees 

as  are  recognized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the 

form  of  their  respective  Orders. 

Music. 

Grand  Tiler  (with  Flaming  Sword'). 

Grand  Stewards  (with  white  Rods). 

A  Brother  carrying  one  of  the  Orders. 

F«>ur  Brethren  carrying  the  other  Four  Orders  (two  and  two  I. 

Grand  Pursuivant  (with  Sword  of  State). 

Grand  Secretary  (with  his  Bag). 

Grand  Treasurer  (with  his  Staff). 

The  Bible,  Square  and  Compass  on  a  crimson  velvel 

cushion,  carried  by  an  aged  Master  Mason. 

supported  by  two  Deacons, 

with  rode. 
Grand  Chaplain  and  Orator. 


5'5t>  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Past  Grand  Wardens. 
Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters. 

Past  Grand  Masters.  * 

Junior  Grand  Deacons  (with  rods). 

Senior  Grand  Deacons. 

The  Grand  Lodge  Banner. 

Junior  Grand  Warden.     Senior  Grand  Warden. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 

The  Book  of  Constitutions  on  a  crimson  velvet  cushion, 

carried  by  the  Master  of  the  oldest  Lodge. 

Grand  Master. 

Senior  Grand  Deacons. 

Two  Tilers  (with  drawn  Swords). 

The  various  standards  (Faith,  Hope,  Charity,  Wisdom,  Strength  and 
Beauty,)  were  to  be  distributed  among  the  Brethren.  Brethren  who 
walked  with  their  Lodges,  were  particularly  requested  to  wear  black 
clothes,  white  gloves,  and  white  lambskin  (or  leather)  aprons,  without 
ornament.  Those  Brethren  in  possession  of  any  of  the  higher  degrees, 
recognized  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  might  (if  they  walked  with  their 
Lodges,)  wear  the  Ribbon  and  Jewel  of  any  of  the  said  degrees,  sus- 
pended from  the  button  hole  of  their  coats. 

The  Grand  Marshal  and  his  Assistants  were  to  attend  on  horseback 
and  wear  cocked  hats.  The  former  was  to  be  clothed  in  the  uniform 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  latter  in  lambskin  (or  white  leather) 
aprons,  with  a  blue  silk  scarf  from  the  left  shoulder,  across  the  breast 
to  the  right  hip. 

These  regulations  were  strictly  observed  on  the  day  of  the  cele- 
bration. 

The  Grand  Lodge  refused  to  permit  one  of  the  Lodges  to  reduce  the 
annual  dues  of  its  members  from  two  dollars  to  one,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, directed  that  they  should  be  raised  to  three  dollars.  This  was 
in  accordance  with  a  regulation  which  had  some  short  time  before  been 
adopted,  by  which  no  Lodge  was  permitted  to  charge  a  less  amount  of 
annual  dues  than  three  dollars  per  annum.  But  as  it  was  found  that 
this  was  a  needless  interference  with  the  local  administration  of  each 
Lodge,  the  regulation  was  subsequently  repealed. 

An  interesting  and  at  the  time  a  rather  exciting  question  of  Masonic 
jurisprudence  attracted,  at  this  period,  the  attention  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.     During  the  present  year,  the  Grand  Master,  who  resided  in 


IN"  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  3S7 

the  country,  \v;is  very  seldom  in  the  city,  and  his  distance  from  it  made 
it  inconvenient  to  apply  to  him  for  dispensations  to  confer  decrees  in 
what,  has  always  been  most  incorrectly  called  "cases  of  emergency." 
Under  the  circumstances  the  Deputy  Grand  .Master,  who  resided  in  the 
city,  undertook  to  exercise  the  dispensing  authority  himself,  and  to 
grant  dispensations  in  such  cases,  justifying  liims  If  by  the  6th  Regu- 
lation, which  said  that  "the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  in  the  absence  of 
the  Grand  Master,  shall  preside  in  his  place  and  perforin  such  duties 
and  possess  such  authority  as  appertain  to  the  Grand  Master."  The 
word  "absence"  he  interpreted  as  meaning  absence  from  the  city, 
which  was  the  seat  of  the  Graud  Lodge.  Several  of  the  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  denied  the  correctness  of  this  interpretation,  and  on 
the  Master  of  Landmark  Lodge  applying  to  the  Grand  Secretary  to 
know  if  he  would  affix  the  seal  of  the  Graud  Lodge  to  such  a  dispensa- 
tion granted  by  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  that  officer,  believing  that 
the  Deputy  Graud  Master  possessed  no  suet  dispensing  power,  had  de- 
clined to  do  so.  At  this  Communication,  therefore,  the  Master  of 
Landmark  Lodge  presented  a  petition  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  requesting 
that  bifey  "  to  inform  him  in  what  cases  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  has 
the  power  to  grant  dispensations  to  confer  degrees." 

In  answer  to  this  request  a  motion  was  made  by  Bro.  John  A.  Gyles, 
to  the  effect  "that  in  the  opinion  of  this  Grand  Lodge  the  Deputy 
Grand  Master  has  no  right  to  grant  dispensations  while  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter is  in  the  State  and  alive."  This  resolution  was,  on  motion  of  the 
Grand  Secretary,  referred  to  a  committee  cousistiug  of  the  Grand  Offi- 
cers and  the  Past  Grand  Masters. 

This  committee,  of  which  Brother  C  M.  Furman,  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter, was  the  chairman,  gave  the  important  subject  due  consideration, 
a;;d  did  not  make  their  report  until  the  1st  of  March  in  the  ensuing 
year.  But,  in  view  of  the  necessary  connection  with  the  subject,  I 
shall  not  hesitate  to  anticipate  the  order  of  events,  and  give  that  well 
wiitten  report  now  iiiBtead  of  severing  it  from  the  initiatory  circum- 
stances to  which  we  arc  indebted  for  its  origin.  The  answer  should 
speedily  follow  the  question.  The  report  is,  therefore,  in  the  following 
word~; : 

"This  resolution  being  referred  without  instructions,  your  committee 
have  ooQBidered  themselves  authorized  to  consider  the  subject  in  con- 
nection with  several  collateral  questions. 

"  And.  lii.-t,  as  to  the  manner  in  which  this  subject  was  brought  to 
the  aitcutiou  of  the  Graud  Lod06j  a  petition  was  presented  by  a  uieui- 


;;s.s  HISTORY  OE  FREEMASONRY 

ber  in  his  own  behalf,  requesting  the  Grand  Lodge  to  declare  in  what 
cases  the  R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master  has  the  power  to  grant  dispen- 
sations to  confer  degrees.  Your  committee  regard  this  as  a  uovel 
procedure,  and  one  calculated  to  lead  to  injurious  consequences  if 
permitted  to  stand  as  a  precedent  ;  and,  with  a  view  of  establishing 
what  is  the  proper  course  of  procedure  in  matters  requiring  the  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  we  proceed  to  submit  the  following  observa- 
tions : 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  acts  cither  in  a  judicial,  a  legislative  or  an 
administrative  capacity,  and  business  requiring  its  action  must  be  pre- 
sented in  a  form  appropriate  to  that  class  of  powers  which  it  is  pro- 
posed to  call  into  exercise.  Where  the  judicial  power  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  is  applied  to,  whether  original  or  appellate,  a  case  must  be  made 
or  some  transaction  must  have  occurred  which  should  be  regularly  set 
forth  in  the  form  of  a  petition,  or  other  similar  proceeding,  and  the 
judgment  of  the  Grand  Lo^ge  called  for;  which  judgment  is  to  have 
an  actual  operation  upon  some  party  or  parties  to  such  transaction,  or 
upon  the  transaction  itself,  reversing,  modifying  or  confirming  it  But 
no  court  of  justice  will  entertain  a  petition  for  advice  upon  a  point  of 
law,  however  convenient  it  may  be  to  parties  to  obtain  such  opinion, 
nor  would  the  opinion  of  a  court  obtained  in  that  way  be  regarded  as 
authority;  it  would  be  merely  obiter  dictum,  having  no  other  authority 
than  the  respect  that  might  be  felt  for  the  opinions  of  the  individuals 
who  concur  in  it.  Not  only  will  a  court  of  justice  refuse  to  entertain 
a  petition  for  their  opinion  upon  a  point  of  law,  but  they  will  refuse  to 
try  a  feigned  issue  voluntarily  made  up  by  parties  where  there  is  no 
real  case  involved;  courts  act  only  on  real  cases,  not  on  abstract  princi- 
ples ;  they  decide  cases  by  applying  rules  and  principles  to  facts  or 
circumstances  which  have  actually  occurred.  It  is  equally  irregular  to 
apply  by  petition  to  a  Legislative  body  to  construe  laws  which  they 
have  passed.  To  construe  the  law  is  the  business  of  the  Judiciary,  to 
be  performed  when  cases  are  properly  presented.  No  Legislative  body 
will  entertain  a  petition  to  determine  the  construction  of  an  act  that 
has  been  passed.  A  petition  to  alter  the  existing  law,  may,  in  somo 
cases,  be  considered,  but  not  one  to  determine  the  meaning  of  that 
law ;  that,  as  we  have  before  said,  is  the  business  of  the  Judiciary, 
and  even  a  declaratory  act  is  little  more  than  the  establishment  of  a 
new  rule  for  the  future.  It  will  be  seen  from  the  considerations  pre- 
sented that  your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  resolution 
referred  to  them  is  liable  to  objection,  as  well  as  the  petition  to  which  it 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  :;v.» 

refers,  and  that  neither  presents  the  subject  iu  a  ibnn  properly  cogni- 
zable by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

"  As,  however,  it  was  probably  the  intention  of  the  mover  of  the 
resolution,  and  would  comport  with  the  views  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  that 
the  resolution  should  be  regarded  as  a  directum  to  your  committee  to 
enquire  into  the  expediency  of  providing,  by  additional  rules,  for  the 
vesting  of  additional  powers  in  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  your  com- 
mittee have  concluded  so  to  construe  it  and  to  submit  it  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  accept  or  decline  to  receive  their  report  accordingly.  Iu  pur- 
suing this  enquiry  the  first  question  is  what  are  the  powers  of  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master?  The  words  of  the  rule  arc  'In  the  |f)scncc  of 
the  Grand  Master'  he  shall  perform  his  duties,  aud  it  is  therefore 
essential  to  determine  what  is  the  meaning  of  the  word  absence.  The 
word  is  capable  of  several  constructions,  as  1st,  absence  from  the  place 
where  auy  official  act  is  to  be  performed;  2d,  absence  from  some  place 
supposed  to  be  connected  with  the  official  position  of  Grand  Master  ; 
3d,  absence  from  his  official  jurisdiction,  viz  :  the  limits  of  the  State. 

"We  will  briefly  examine  each  of  these  circumstances.  As  to  the 
first — if  the  absence  referred  to  in  the  rules,  means  absence  from  the 
place  where  any  act  is  to  be  performed,  then  in  most  cases  there  will 
be  no  one  who  can  exercise  the  powers  of  the  Grand  Master ;  for  the 
rule  disabling  the  Grand  Master,  in  case  of  absence,  also  disables  any 
other  officer  who  is  to  represent  him  on  the  same  ground.  To  illus- 
trate— suppose  some  Masonic  act,  as  the  conferring  of  two  degrees  at 
one  Communication,  for  which  a  dispensation  is  required,  is  about  to 
be  performed  at  the  Pendleton  Lodge,  neither  the  Grand  Master,  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  the  Grand  Wardens,  nor  any  Past  Grand 
Officer  is  present,  then  all  being  absent,  they  are  all  disabled,  and  no 
one  can  perform  the  act.  For  it  would  be  absurd  to  say,  that  (the 
rule  being  uniform)  the  objection  of  absence  can  apply  to  one  officer 
and  not  to  another.  We  hold  it  then,  obvious,  that  the  first  mode  of 
construction  referred  to,  is  not  the  true  interpretation  of  the  rule;  aud 
we  would  add  here  that,  when  the  rule  provides  that  iu  the  absence  of 
one  officer,  another  is  to  perform  his  duty  during  that  absence,  the 
former  is  incapacitated. 

"The  second  construction  that  may  be  put  on  the  word  abtena  i-, 
absence  from  some  place  supposed  to  be  connected  with  the  official 
position  of  Grand  Master.  This  construction  is  predicated  upon  the 
.i-Munption  that  the  Grand  Master  is  required  to  reside  at  some  par- 
ticular place.     Wc  look  iu  vain  cither  to  the  aucieut  constitutions  or 


390  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

to  our  own  rules,  for  any  sucli  requisition  ;  Masonic  practice  has  been 
inconsistent  with  any  such  regulation,  particularly  in  England.  The 
office  of  Grand  Master  of  Masons  is  a  personal  trust  and  confidence ; 
it  attaches  to  the  individual,  not  to  his  location  or  place  of  residence. 
And  the  opinion  that  whenever  he  is  absent  from  a  particular  location 
he  ceases  to  be  Grand  Master,  and  is  divested  of  his  powers  and  duties, 
is  at  war  with  all  Masonic  precedent  and  usage.  The  location  which 
is  referred  to  by  those  who  sustain  the  opinion  we  are  now  discussing 
is  Charleston  ;  and  the  necessary  consequence  of  the  opinion  they 
hold,  the  corollary  from  it,  is  that  no  Grand  Master  can  exercise  the 
powers  of  Grand  Master,  but  while  he  is  actually  in  Charleston.  That 
this  is  a  correct  inference  from  their  opinion,  we  think  can  hardly  be 
questioned.  For,  if  absence  in  rule  6th  means  absence  from  Charles- 
ton, as  contended  for,  then,  by  the  terms  of  rule  4th,  the  Deputy 
succeeds  to  the  place  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  is  declared  to  possess 
the  powers  of  Grand  Master;  and,  as  when  the  latter  is  present,  no  one 
can  exercise  his  powers,  so  when  the  Deputy  succeeds  to  the  authority, 
he  has  it  as  amply  as  the  Grand  Master  had  it,  and  no  other  can  exer- 
cise it.  To  contend  otherwise,  would  not  only  set  f=side  the  express 
words  of  the  rule,  but  would  also  establish  the  anomaly  of  two  Grand 
Masters  with  plenary  powers  existing  in  one  jurisdiction,  at  one.  and 
the  same  time.;  which,  we  presume,  none  will  directly  contend  for. 
But  let  us  look  at  some  of  the  consequences  of  the  construction  we  are 
now  examining.  If  absence,  means  absence  from  Charleston  then  even 
where  the  Grand  Master  is  present  out  of  Charleston  he  can  exercise 
no  powers,  he  is  divested  of  authority.  Take  the  case  of  the  late 
Grand  Master.  He  is  a  resident  of  Darlington,  and  member  of  the 
Lodge  there;  should  occasion  have  arisen  under  his  personal  notice 
there,  he  could  not,  on  account  of  his  absence  from  Charleston,  grant 
a  dispensation,  but  he  would  have  been  required  to  defer  to  the  action 
of  an  inferior  officer,  in  his  very  presence.  But  further,  the  Grand 
Lodge  has  it  in  its  power  to  elect  non-residents  of  Charleston  to  all  the 
presiding  offices;  in  such  case  not  one  of  them  could  exercise  the 
powers  of  Grand  Master,  but  they  would  devolve  on  some  Past  Grand 
officer,  or  be  in  abeyance. 

"The  third  construction  to  be  placed  on  the  word  absence  in  the 
sixth  rule  is  absence  from  the  jurisdiction  or  from  the  State.  This 
the  committee  considers  to  be  the  truo  and  reasonable  meaning  of  the 
rule.  The  Grand  Master,  when  he  is  installed  and  proclaimed,  is 
installed  and   proclaimed  as   the  Graud   Master  of  Masons  in  South 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  3'Jl 

Carolina — not  over  a  part  of  the  State,  or  over  a  portion  of  Masons  in 
the  State,  but  over  the  whulc  State,  and  over  all  the  Masons  of  the 
State  His  jurisdiction  is  over  every  part  and  portion  of  the  State. 
Wherever  he  goes  within  the  State  his  authority  abides  within  him. 
As  he  is  Grand  Master  over  the  whole  State,  he  is  not  out  of  place  in 
any  part  of  the  State,  lie  loses  no  dignity  or  authority  by  being  in 
one  part  of  his  jurisdiction,  instead  of  being  in  another  part  of  it. 
And  we,  without  fear  of  contradiction,  aver  that  there  is  nothing  in 
the  rules  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  in  Masonic  usage  or  precedent,  which 
declares  that  one  part  of  the  State  or  of  the  jurisdiction,  is  more 
worthy  or  to  be  preferred  over  any  other  portion  of  the  State  or  juris- 
diction. It  may  be  as  is  urged,  that  as  there  are  a  number  of  Lodges 
in  Charleston,  where  the  exercise  of  the  powers  of  the  Grand  Master 
may  be  frequently  needed,  it  is  important  that  such  construction  be 
given  to  the  rule  as  would  euable  an  officer,  resident  in  Charleston, 
always  to  exercise  the  powers  of  Grand  Master.  But  there  is  nothing 
in  the  rule  which  requires  the  Deputy  to  be  a  resident  of  Charleston, 
and  the  argument  fails  on  that  ground.  It  is  evident  also  that  this 
argument  would  lead  to  a  very  unsafe  practice  in  the  constructing  of 
laws.  To  make  positive  rules  bend  by  construction,  to  what  may  be 
the  varying,  and  sometimes  conflicting  views  of  general  convenience, 
which  a  majority  may  entertain,  would  lead  to  most  mischievous 
results.  Nor  are  wo  of  opinion  that  great  facility  in  obtaining  dispen- 
sations is  of  benefit  to  the  Lodges.  The  power  of  granting  dispensa- 
tions, like  the  power  of  pardon,  may  be  abused,  and  too  great  facility 
in  obtaiuing  dispensations  leads  to  loose  and  careless  habits  in  con- 
ducting the  business  of  the  Lodges.  Kules  which  have  been  adopted 
by  the  Fraternity,  after  full  consideration,  should  not  be  lightly  set 
aside  by  the  dispensing  power.  On  the  contrary,  the  subjecting  parties 
to  some  delay  or  inconvenience,  who  seek  to  be  relieved  from  the  con- 
sequences of  neglect,  or  from  the  control  of  regulations  which  in 
general  govern,  is,  in  some  degree,  a  protection  to  the  Fraternity 
from  an  indifferent  or  careless  performance  of  Masonic  duties.  Wo 
have  another  objection  to  any  construction  other  than  that  we  con- 
tended for,  and  would  be  opposed  to  it  if  it  came  in  the  form  of  a 
proposition  to  amend  the  rules.  It  is  that  by  such  construction  the 
members  of  the  Fraternity  of  the  State,  resident  out  of  Charleston, 
would  be  disfranchised  and  reduced  to  a  state  of  inferiority  to  those 
resident  in  Charleston.  This  is  so  unjust  in  itself,  so  much  at  variance 
with  the  principle?  ami  practice  of  nur  Order,  that  wc  think  few  could 


-jy-j  HISTOllY  01'  FREEMASONRY 

be  found  to  advocate  the  proposition  ;  we  should  hope  none.  But  we 
look  upon  an  attempt  to  engraft  such  a  feature  upon  our  system  by 
construction,  and  thus  effect,  indirectly,  what  could  not  be  attempted 
openly,  as  liable  to  still  greater  objection,  and  more  offensive  and  unjust 
to  the  members  of  the  Fraternity  out  of  the  city. 

"Your  committee  have  not  attempted  to  enter  into  a  full  discussion 
of  this  subject.  They  have  contented  themselves  with  merely  present- 
ing some  of  the  views  and  illustrations  which  more  readily  occur,  in 
considering  the  matter;  nor  have  they  referred  to  the  powers  possessed 
by  the  Grand  Masters  of  delegating  authority,  out  of  which  the  office 
of  Deputy  Grand  Master  originated;  nor  to  the  distinction  between 
his  ministerial  duties  and  his  discretionary  and  judicial  powers.  A  full 
examination  of  the  subject  would  lead  to  some  discussion  of  the  latter 
topics;  but  enough  has  been  stated  to  explain  the  views  of  the  commit- 
tee, and,  we  believe,  to  sustain  the  conclusion  to  which  we  have  come, 
viz:  that  the  Deputy  caunot  exercise  the  powers  of  Grand  Master  while 
that  officer  is  withiu  his  jurisdiction  (the  State),  and  that  it  is  inexpe- 
dient to  make  any  alteration  of  the  rules." 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  fully  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the 
tjuestions  agitated  in  this  report,  aud  did  not,  therefore,  proceed  at 
once  to  their  final  adjudication.  But  the  subject  being  postponed  from 
time  to  time,  it  was  not  until  the  3d  of  January,  1854,  at  a  special  Com- 
munication called  for  that  purpose,  that  the  report,  having  been  fully 
discussed,  was  finally  adopted,  and  the  law  settled  that  in  South  Caro- 
lina the  Deputy  Grand  Master  has  no  power  of  granting  dispensations 
bo  long  as  the  Grand  Master  is  in  any  part  of  the  jurisdiction. 

The  committee  on  the  Cemetery  reported  that  they  had  purchased  a 
Masonic  burial  ground  for  8450.  The  Grand  Officers  aud  Masters  of 
the  city  Lodges  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  rules  for  its  gov- 
ernment. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  September,  1852.  A  war- 
rant of  constitution  was  granted  to  Keowee  Lodge  No.  79,  at  Pickens 
Court  House. 

A  report  of  a  committee  euuuciating  some  remarkable  points  of  Ma- 
sonic law  was  adopted  at  this  Communication.  The  circumstances 
which  led  to  the  report  were  as  follows:  A  candidate  had  received  the 
iirst  degree  in  one  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges.  Subsequently  the  second 
and  third  were  conferred  upon  him  at  one  Communication.  A  member 
who  was  opposed  to  his  advancement,  because  he  believed  him  to  be 
disqualified,  demanded  on  each  of  these  degrees  a  ballot,  which  was  re- 


IX  SOUTH  CAKOLINA.  393 

fused  by  the  Lodge.  On  this,  lio  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
the  committee,  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred,  reported  that  the 
conferring  of  two  degrees  at  one  Communication  was  irregular.  The 
committee,  however,  did  not  sustain  the  special  complaint  of  the  ap- 
pellant that  his  demand  for  a  ballot  on  the  second  and  third  degrees 
was  not  granted.  The  committee  say,  "we  do  not  cousider  it  the  right 
of  a  member  to  require  such  ballot,  though  it  is  competent  for  the 
Lodge  to  order  a  ballot,  and,  if  cause  be  shewn,  it  is  perhaps  the  best 
practice  to  resort  to  the  ballot.  But  after  an  applicant  has  had  a  de- 
gree conferred  upon  him,  he  stands  in  a  different  relation  to  the  !  ra- 
teniity  from  that  of  a  mere  stranger.  He  is,  in  fact,  admitted  into  the 
Order,  and  has  acquired  some  rights  which  must  be  respected  by  the 
rest  of  the  brethren."  This,  it  is  true,  was  but  the  expression  of  an 
opinion,  and  the  adoption  of  the  report  did  not,  therefore,  as  it  was  not 
embodied  in  the  form  of  a  resolution,  make  it  law.  And,  in  fact,  the 
usage  io  three-fourths  of  the  Lodges  of  this  State,  and  all  the  Lodges 
in  America,  as  well  as  the  ancient  usage  in  England,  have  settled  the 
question  that  a  ballot  should  be  taken  on  each  degree.*  The  committee 
could  not  have  well  considered  the  nature  and  object  of  a  Mason :c  bal- 
lot when  they  recommended  that  recourse  should  be  had  to  it  only  when 
Cause  was  shown,  Such  a  proceeding  would,  of  course,  at  once  destroy  all 
pretensions  to  that  secrecy  and  independence  which  constitute  the  very 
essence  of  the  ballot  iu  Masonry.  The  appeal,  however,  was  dismissed 
on  the  recommendation  of  the  committee  "that  the  irregularities  be 
healed."  So  that  with  this  indefinite  conclusion  the  report  did  not 
really  settle  any  question  of  Masonic  law. 

Special  Communication  on  the  5th  of  October,  1852,  but  uo  business 
of  any  importance  was  transacted. 

Special  Communication  on  Che  28th  of  October,  1852.  As  the  yel- 
low fever  was  then  prevailing  in  the  city,  this  Communication  was 
convened  to  determine  whether  on  that  account,  the  contemplated  cele- 
bration of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  Washington's  initiation  should 
be  postponed.     It  was  resolved  that  it  should  not. 

In  consequence  of  some  carelessness  having  taken  place  on  former 
occasions,  the  Grand  Tiler  was  instructed  at  all  future  Communications 
to  light  the  three  lesser  lights  around  the  altar. 


*  Tlic  Constitution  adopted  in  1860  specifically  prescribes  that  there  ^ l»;il  1  be  a 
ballot  for  each  degree. 


394  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Centennial  Anniversary  of  Washington's  Initiation. 

0;i  Thursday,  the  4th  of  November,  1852,  the  Grand  and  Subordi- 
nate Lodges  assembled  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  at  Masonic  Hall,  for  the 
purpose  of  celebrating  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  initiation  of 
Ge  >rge  Washington  into  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry.  Bro.  A.  E. 
Miller,  the  oldest  Past  Grand  Master,  presided  (the  Grand  Master 
being  absent  from  the  city),  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  form 
on  the  first  degree.  A  large  procession  was  formed  of  the  Grand  and 
Subordinate  Lodges,  accompanied  by  the  Grand  and  Sub  ordinate  Chap- 
ters, the  Encampment  of  Knights  Templars,  and  the  Supreme  Council 
of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Kite.  The  procession,  which  consisted 
of  about  300  masons,  then  moved  to  Hibernian  Hall,  which  had  al- 
ready been  filled  to  overflowing  by  a  body  of  spectators,  the  seats 
reserved  for  the  Fraternity  being  alone  unoccupied.  After  the  singir.g 
of  that  beautiful  ode  beginning  "Unto  thee,  Great  God,  belong,"  an 
appropriate  prayer  was  offered  by  the  acting  Grand  Chaplain,  Bro.  John 
H  Honour,  and  after  the  singing  of  a  hymn  from  the  classic  pen  of 
Bro.  B.  13.  French,  of  Washington  city,  the  oration  was  delivered  by 
Bro.  Albert  G.  Mackey,  the  Orator  of  the  day.  The  services  were 
concluded  with  the  singing,  by  Bro.  M.  S.  Reeves,  accompanied  on  the 
piano  by  Bro.  J.  Spcissegger,  of  the  anthem  commencing  "  When 
earth's  foundation  first  was  laid."  The  benediction  having  been  given, 
the  audience  was  dismissed,  and  the  Craft  returned  to  the  Masonic 
Hall,  where,  after  the  usual  votes  of  thanks  and  a  resolution  to  publish 
the  address,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed. 

In  the  evening  the  brethren  reassembled  and  partook  of  an  excellent 
banquet,  and  after  an  appropriate  enjoyment  of  the  festive  occasion, 
adjourned  at  an  early  hour.  And  thus  ended  the  first  centennial  anni- 
versary of  the  initiation  of  Washington.  The  day  was  celebrated  in 
like  manner  in  all  the  large  cities  and  many  even  of  the  villages  of  the 
Union,  and  was  indeed  a  national  festival  in  Masoury. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  December,  1852.  From  the 
address  of  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  we  learn  that  the  ancient  Masonic 
mode  of  voting  by  holding  up  the  hand,  for  which  the  modern  one  of 
aye  and  nay  had  for  many  years  been  substituted,  was  this  year  revived 
by  Landmark  Lodge.  The  Deputy  Grand  Master  singularly  stigma- 
tized it  as  "a  very  gross  innovation,"  but  soon  after  the  Grand  Lodge 
made  it  by  special  decree  the  only  authorized  mode  of  voting  in  the 
jurisdiction. 


IN  SOUTH  CAfiOLTNA.  395 

Bas?om  Lodge  No.  80  at  Cokcsbmy.  having  determine!  to  inaugu- 
rate a  Masonic  School  i  i  that  village,  asked  the  sanction  and  patronage 
of  the  Grand  Lod.e,  when  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"Whereas,  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  of  South  Carolina, 
feel  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  Female  Education,  and  desire  its 
promotion  :  and,  whereas,  we  arc  willing  heartily  to  lend  cur  influence 
to  the  success  of  said  cause :     Therefore, 

u  Resolveif,  1st.  That  we  accept  the  proposition  made  to  us  by 
Bascom  Lodge  Xo.  80,  to  receive  under  our  patronage  the  Female  In- 
stitute of  the  village  of  Cokesbury,  Abbeville  district. 

"2d.  That  we  will  lend  our  influence  to  the  building  up  of  a  High 
School,  in  said  village,  fur  the  education  of  fern  des ;  and  that  we  will 
recommend  it  to  the  patronage  of  all  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges  of  tho 
State,  and  of  the  Fraternity  generally. 

"3d.  That  Base  m  Lodge  assume  alb  pecuniary  responsibility  in 
the  establishment  of  said  Institute,  and  absolve  us  from  liability. 

"4th.  That  Bascom  Lodge  shall  elect  a  Board  of  Trustees,  con- 
sisting of  members,  subject   to  our  approval;  and  that  the  said 

Board  shall  report  annually  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  condition  and  pros- 
pects of  said  Institute. 

"5th.  That  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary  of  this  Grand 
Lodge  shall  be  ex-nfficio  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

"  Gth.  That  we  will  appoint  a  Board  of  Visitors,  whose  d  ity  shall  be 
to  attend  the  Annual  Examination  of  said  Institute,  and  report  the 
result  to  the  Graud  Lodge." 

That  Institution  was  soon  after  duly  organized,  and  has  ever  since 
been  in  a  growing  and  prosperous  condition. 

F.  C.  Barber,  the  late  Representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Xew 
York,  having  removed  from  the  jurisdiction,  that  b"dy  had  supplied 
the  vacancy,  by  the  appointment  of  \V.  L.  Cleveland,  who  at  this  Com- 
munication was  duly  recognized. 

This  being  the  night  of  the  annual  election,  the  Grand  Lodge  pro- 
ceeded to  the  performance  of  that  duty,  and  Brother  Wm.  L.  Cleveland 
was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  uf  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated. 
Brother  J.  C.  Norris,  Past  Grand  Master,  installed  Brother  W.  L. 
Cleveland,  the  Grand  Master  elect,  who  then  proceeded  to  install  the 
other  officers.  There  was  neither  public  procession  nor  address,  but 
alter  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  closed,  the  Fraternity  concluded  the 
celebration  of  tho  day  by  r\  baoqaei 


3<)6  HISTORY  OF  FEEEMASOiNKY 


CI1APTER    XLYI. 

THE   YEAR    1853. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1853 : 

W.  L.  Cleveland,  Grand  Master; 

Alfred  Price,  Deputy   Grand  Master  ; 

Ebenezer  Thayer,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

John  A   Gyles,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Elias  B.  Hort,  Grand  Chaplain; 

John  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  31. D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

Samuel  J.  Hull,  )         . 

~    r,  i   Senior  Grand  Deacons ; 

C.  Lrickson,  J  ' 

T.  Allason,         ) 

T  r.    ,j  r  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

J.  C.  Beckmann,  J  ' 

J.  B.  Fraser,  Grand  Marshal ; 

Lemuel  Crane,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

H.   W.  Schroder, \ 

■n    „,.    o,  f  Grand  Stewards; 

R.  W.  Seymour,      )  ' 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,   Grand  Lecturer. 

Quarterly  Communication  ou  the  1st  of  March,  1853.  Rules  were 
adopted  for  the  government  of  the  Masonic  bur'al  ground. 

The  Grand  Lodge  abolished  the  regulation  which  required  Subordi- 
nate Lodges  to  charge  the  sum  of  three  dollars  for  the  annual  dues  of 
their  members,  thus  leaving  the  regulation  of  this  matter  in  the  power 
of  each  of  the  Lodges,  where  it  ought  always  to  be  placed. 

A  committee,  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred,  made  a  report 
on  the  duties  and  compensation  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  and  recom- 
mended that  the  salary  of  that  officer  should  be  increased.  The  report 
was  adopted,  and  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  was  subsequently 
made  in  accordance  with  the  views  of  the  committee. 

Warrants  of  constitution  were  granted  to  Amity  Lodge  No.  87,  at 
Newberry,   Marlboro  Lodge    No.   68,  at    Beunettsville,  Bascomville 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  397 

Lodge   No.   89,  at  Bascomville,  and   Caldwell   Lodge   No.  90,  at   Cal- 
houn's Mills. 

At  this  Communication  the  committee  made  their  report  on  the 
powers  of  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  which  has  already  been  alluded  to. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  June,  1853.  Richland 
Lodge  No.  39  having  indefinitely  suspended  G.  II.  C,  one  of  its  mem- 
bers, for  continued  intoxication  and  unmasonic  conduct,  he  appealed  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  when,  on  the  report  of  the  committee  to  whom  the 
subject  had  been  referred,  the  Lodge  was  "earnestly  and  fraternally  re- 
quested to  relieve  the  appellant  from  the  sentence  of  indefinite  suspen- 
sion, and  to  restore  him  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry." 
This  recommendation  was  based  on  the  irregularity  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  Lodge  in  the  trial,  on  the  consideration  that  the  accused  had 
already  suffered  five  months  of  suspension,  arrd  on  his  expressions  of  regret 
and  promises  of  reform.  The  irregularity  of  the  trial  consisted,  according 
to  the  report  of  the  committee,  in  the  fact  that  the  sentence  was  con- 
cluded on  arid  passed  in  the  absence  of  the  defendant,  and  at  a  special 
and  not  a  regular  Communication  of  the  Lodge,  and  the  committee  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  "that  in  so  grave  a  matter  as  the  expulsion  or  in- 
definite suspension  of  a  brother,  the  final  action  of  a  Lodge  could  only 
properly  take  place  at  a  stated  and  regular  Communication  "  The 
adoption  of  this  report,  and  the  courteous  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
led  to  very  remarkable  results.  Richland  Lodge  reviewed  the  action  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  censured  the  terms  of  the  report,  and  by  resolution 
declined  to  conform  to  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  until  the  cen- 
surable expressions  in  the  report  of  the  committee  were  stricken  out. 
This  action  of  Richland  Lodge  was  made  known  at  the  Quarterly  Com- 
munication of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  September,  and  at  the  same  time 
a  petition  in  favor  of  Bro.  C.  was  presented  by  Rro.  P.  S  Jacobs,  a 
member  of  Richland  Lodge,  whereupon  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  a 
resolution  by  which  Bro.  C.  was  "forthwith  restored  to  all  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  Masonry." 

Another  question,  involving  several  interesting  points  of  Masonic 
law,  was  inaugurated  at  this  Communication,  and  although  not  finally 
adjudicated  until  the  September  meeting,  it  will  be  perhaps  more  ex- 
pedient to  anticipate  the  result  and  to  present  the  whole  narrative  at 
once. 

A  candidate,  who  will  be  sufficiently  distinguished  by  the  initials  <,. 
D.,  had  been  rejected  "ii  three  several  occasiuns  by  Pythagorean  Lodge 
No.  21,  the  last  rejection   taking   place  at  the  regular  meeting  of  the 


39&  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lod^e  in  January,  1853.  At  the  meeting  in  April,  the  two  members 
who  were  supposed  to  have  deposited  the  black  balls  which  rejected 
him  being  absent,  a  motion  was  adopted  to  reconsider  the  ballot,  ou  the 
ground  that  these  two  brethren  were  not  entitled  to  vote,  one  being  only 
an  honorary  member,  and  the  other  being  more  than  twelve  months  in 
arrears.  The  ballot  was  then  taken,  and  G.  D  was  unanimously  elected, 
and  on  the  same  evening  received  the  first  degree.  At  the  meeting 
in  May,  Caminade,  one  of  the  members  who  had  previously  cast  a  black 
ball,  objected  to  G.  D.'s  receiving  the  second  degree.  He  had  privately 
stated  his  objections  to  the  .Master.  These  the  Master  made  known  in 
Lodge,  and  declared  them  to  be  insufficient.  The  arrear  list  being  then 
ordered,  with  the  evident  purpose  of  preventing  Caminade  trom  voting, 
as  he  was  in  arrears,  he  became  much  irritated,  and  having  used  dis- 
respectful language,  finally  left  the  Lodge  without  the  usual  salutes, 
and  the  second  degree,  without  a  previous  ballot,  was  conferred  on  G.  D. 

Caminade  having  protested  against  these  proceedings  to  the  Grand 
Master  in  June,  the  latter  issued  his  decree,  prohibiting  the  Lodge 
fro > 1 1  conferring  the  third  degree  on  G.  D.  until  the  decision  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  on  the  protest  of  Brother  Caminade  could  be  obtained. 
In  the  meantime,  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  declared  Caminade  to  be 
suspended  from  the  Lodge  for  non-payment  of  dues. 

In  the  Communication  of  the  Crand  Lodge  in  June,  the  subject  was 
referred  to  a  committee,  ttIio  made  their  report  in  September,  recom- 
meri  ling  that  the  Lodge  be  prohibited  forever  from  conferring  the 
third  degree  on  G.  P.,  who  was,  however,  allowed  to  apply  to  any  other 
Lodge,  and  that  the  Mast -r  of  the  Lodg'1  be  severely  reprimanded  in 
open  Grand  Lodge;  which  repoit  was  adopted,  and  the  resolutions  sub- 
sequently carried  into  effect. 

In  making  their  report,  the  committee  lai  1  down  the  following  prin- 
ciples of  Masonic  jurisprudence,  viz  :  that  the  Master  was  wrong  in 
permit  ing  a  reconsideration  of  a  petition  at  a  subsequent  meeting; 
also  in  declaring  Caminade  alone  to  b<"  not  entitled  to  vote,  in  conse- 
quence of  b"ing  in  arrears,  when  several  other  members  w  re  in  the 
same  predicament;  in  declaring  Caminade  suspended  for  non-payment 
of  dues  without  any  action  of  the  L^dge  being  taken  ;  m  declaring 
the  objection  of  Caminade  insufficient,  when  it  was  really  a  good  one  j 
and  in  omitting  to  order  the  ballot  when  objection  was  made  to  the 
advancement  of  the  candid  to  to  the  second  degree 

These  principles,  so  far  as  they  go,  seem  u-idoubtedly  to  be  correct, 
but,  iu  fact,  some  of  them  do  u„t  go  fur  enough,  and  qualiiyiug  ex- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  39  y 

pressions  destroy  the  accuracy  of  some  of  the  principles  enunciated. 
It  would  have  been  better  to  have  said  at  once  that  a  motion  to 
reconsider  a  ballot  is  always  inadmissible,  and  that  the  non-payment  of 
dues,  while  a  brother  still  remains  a  member  and  the  penalty  of  sus- 
pension has  not  been  enforced,  does  not  disqualify  him  from  voting  on 
the  petition  of  a  candidate,  for  the  old  regulations  expressly  require 
every  member  to  vote  without  exception.  "  No  man  can  be  entered  a 
brother  in  any  particular  Lodge  without  the  unanimous  consent  of  all 
the  members  of  that  body  then  present."  If  not  suspeuded,  Caininade 
was  a  member,  and  if  a  member  then  clearly  bound  to  vote,  for  if  he 
did  not  vote  G.  D.  would  not  have  been  admitted  with  the  "unani- 
mous consent "  of  all  present.  But  the  report  was,  on  the  whole,  a 
good  one,  for  it  is  not  always  that  we  find  reports  on  nice  questions  of 
Masonic  law  coming  so  near  to  the  truth. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  to  appoint  a  committee  to  enquire  into  the 
expediency  of  purchasing  a  lot  of  ground  for  a  Masonic  Cemetery,  of 
greater  extent  and  in  a  better  situation  than  the  one  already  purchased, 
but  although  the  resolution  was  adopted,  the  committee  never  made  a 
report,  and  the  matter  was  allowed   to  expire  without  further  action. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  6th  of  September,  1853.  It  was 
ordered  that  a  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  to  revise  the  by-laws 
and  regulaions  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  committee  consisted  of  T. 
S.  Gourdin,  C  M.  Furtnan,  A.  G.  Mackey,  E.  Thayer,  Z  1$  Oakes, 
A.  E.  Miller  and  J.  B.  Wynne.  The  committee  made  th<  ir  reports, 
one  from  the  majori'y,  and  the  other  from  the  minority,  and  as  they 
presented  several  questions  of  interest,  the  .  ubject  will  be  resumed 
when  we  arrive  at  that  point  in  our  history. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  6th  and  llth  of  December,  1853, 
the  Grand  Lodge  having,  on  the  former  evening,  after  the  transaction 
of  business,  been  called  from  labor  until  the  llth.  The  report  of  the 
Grand  Treasurer  showed  that  the  income  of  the  Graud  Lodjzc  for  the 
past  year  had  been  over  five  thousand  dollars. 

The  annual  election  took  place,  and  Alfred  Price  was  elected  Grand 
Master. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  resumed  libor  on  the  llth  of  December,  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  the  revisal  of  the  Constitution  was  made 
and  considered.  The  majority  of  the  committee  recommended  but 
two  alterations  in  the  Constitution,  as  then  existing,  namely,  the  estab- 
lishment of  twenty  dollars  as  the  minimum  fee  for  initiating,  passing 
and  raising,  and  iLe  raisiug  of  the  Grand  Secretary's  salary  from  lour 


400  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

to  six  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  Both  of  these  amendments  were 
adopted,  and  subsequently  incorporated  into  the  Constitution. 

They  also  recommended,  "  that  on  all  questions  in  the  Grand  Lodge, 
or  in  a  Subordinate  Lodge,  which  are  competent  by  the  by-laws  to  be 
decided  by  acclamation,  the  vote  shall  be  taken  by  holding  up  the  right 
hand,  and  the  formula,  for  proposing  the  question  from  the  Chair,  shall 
be  in  these  words:  'So  many  as  are  in  favor  of  this  resolution,  will 
hold  up  the  right  hand,'  and  afterwards — '  so  many  as  are  opposed  to 
it,  will  make  the  same  sign,'  and  the  uplifted  hands  shall,  when  neces- 
sary, be  counted  by  the  Senior  Deacou,  who  shall  report  the  fame  to  the 
Chair." 

This  recommendation  was  referred  to  a  committee,  who  having  re- 
ported in  its  favor,  it  was  subsequently  adopted  and  became  one  of  the 
standing  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  In  adopting  this  rule,  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  but  returning  to  ancient  usage,  which,  as  far  back  as 
the  year  173(j,*  had  been  sanctioned  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 
in  a  similar  resolution,  adopted  at  that  time. 

Another  recommendation  of  the  committee  was  adopted,  to  the  effect 
"  that  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  not  be  closed  until  the  business  before  it 
shall  have  been  disposed  of,  and  if  it  be  found  impracticable  to  com- 
plete the  business  in  one  evening,  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  called  off 
from  labor  until  a  subsequent  evening;  which  course  shall  be  adopted 
until  the  whole  amount  of  business  shall  have  been  disposed  of." 

A  third  recommendation,  that  the  -Junior  Grand  Warden  and  Grand 
Stewards  should  constitute  ex-ojficio  the  committee  of  arrangements  for 
the  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St.  John,  was  rejected. 

T.  S.  Gourdin,  as  a  minority  of  the  committee,  reported  several  other 
amendments,  the  most  important  of  which  were,  by  expunging  the  9th 
section  of  the  19th  rule,  to  abolish  the  whole  proxy  system,  and  in  its 
place  to  establish  the  basis  of  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  on 
equitable  and  proper  principles,  by  the  adoption  of  the  following  new 
regulation  : 

"  The  expenses  of  one  representative  from  each  Lodge,  out  of  the 
city  of  Charleston,  who  shall  attend  the  Quarterly  Communication  in 
March,  shall  be  defrayed  by  the  Grand  Lodge.     The  expenses  of  the 


*  "The  opinions  or  votes  of  the  members  are  always  to  be  signified  by  each 

holding  up  one  of  his  hands Nor  should  any  other  kind  of  division 

be  ever  admitted  among  Masons."     Regulation  adopted  by  O.  L.  of  England,  6th 
April,  1736.     See  Anderson,  2d  ed.,  p.  178. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  401 

said  representative  shall  b'>  calculated  at  the  r  tcs  established  by  the 
proprietors  d'  public  conveyance,  which  he  shall  take  in  coming  directly 
f:oin  his  home  to  the  said  city,  as  usually  charged  by  the  said  proprie- 
tor* at  the  time,  lie  shall  also  be  allowed  two  ($2)  dollars  for  each 
day's  att(  nd  nice  n  the  said  Commuuicatio  i  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  i  nd 
two  $2)  dollars  for  each  day  tiecasnri/j/  occupied  in  coming  to 
Charleston  and  in  returning  home.  The  said  representative  must  be 
a  member  of  the  Lodge  which  he  represents,  and  may,  if  duly  autho- 
rized ther  to,  cast  the  votes  of  the  .Master  and  both  Wardens  of  his 
Lodge;  But  in  no  c:^se  shall  he  represent  more  Lodges  than  one. 
His  ap  ointment  must  be  certified  under  the  hand  of  the  Master  cf 
the  said  Lodge." 

Kxc  llent  as  this  proposition  was,  it  was  nut  thorough,  for  the  Quar- 
terly Communications  wore  still  to  bo  retained,  and  the  gift  of  a  fair 
representation  at  one  Com:;  unication  would  have  been  valueless,  while 
three  other  Communications  were  to  be  retained  at  which  there  would 
have  been  no  representation  at  all  of  the  country  Lodges.  Indeed  the 
abolition  of  the  p'oxy  system,  bad  as  it  w;is,  and  the  retention  of  the 
Quarterly  Communications,  would  have  been  an  act  of  flagrant  injus- 
tice and  <  ppressinn  to  all  the  Lodges  out  of  (he  city.  The  Grand 
L  due  was  not  yet  ready  for  a  compl  te  reform  ;  the  state  of  its  funds 
was  such  that  it  could  not,  at  that  time,  have  well  afforded  to  pay  rep- 
resentatives without  such  a  sacrifice  as  many  were  unwilling  to  make, 
and  the  amendments  of  the  minority  were  therefore  indefinitely  post- 
poned. The  time,  however,  was  not  far  distant  when  a  reform  based 
on  more  philosophical  principles  of  Masonic  jurisprudence — bolder  in 
its  details,  and  lor  that  very  reason  wiser  and  more  practicable — was  to 
be  triumphantly  effected.  But  I  must  uot  anticipate  the  order  of 
events. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St. 
John  the  Kvangclist,  and  Brother  Lbenezer  ihajer  was  appointed  the 
Orator  for  that  occasion. 

The  annoyance  to  which  the  Craft  throughout  the  whole  country  was 
constantly  subjected  by  the  iutiusion  of  mendicant  Masons,  almost 
always  unworthy,  and  generally  unaffiliated,  had  led  several  Grand 
L  idges  to  request  that  the  strictest  evidence  should  be  required  of  the 
good  standing  of  all  applicant-  for  Masonic  relief.  In  this  spirit,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  adopted  the  following  resolution: 

"  A',,,,/,-,,/,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  respect. ully  requests  her  sister 
Gruud  Lodges  :o  direct  their  iSuburdiuates  uyt  lu  giuut  relief  to  any 
26 


402  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

applicant  from  this  jurisdiction,  unless  he  pr  duces  a  certificate  of  his 
present  membership  in  a  Lodge,  or  gives  other  satisfactory  evidence  of 
his  being  an  affiliated  Mason  " 

As  a  still  further  safeguard  against  the  intrusion  of  this  cla«s  of 
impostors,  who  were  traveling  over  the  land  in  search  of  spoil,  the 
Grand  Lodge  instructed  the  Masters  of  its  Subordinate  Lodges  "to 
permit  no  visitor  to  be  admitted  without  a  previous  examination,  unless 
he  can  be  vouched  for  by  a  brother  who  has  sat  with  him  in  open 
Lodge,  or  if  the  avouchment  be  made  in  consequence  of  private  exami- 
nation, unless  the  brother  so  vouching  be  known  to  the  presiding 
officer  as  a  skilful  and  experienced  Mason,  and  unless  it  be  stated  that, 
previous  to  the  said  private  examination,  all  the  requirements  of  this 
Grand  Lodge,  in  relation  to  certificates,  &c,  have  beeu  fully  complied 
with." 

A  person  in  New  York  of  the  name  of  Goff,  who  professed  to  be  an 
independent  lecturer  on  Masonry,  having  sent  communications  to 
several  Masons,  proposing  to  visit  this  jurisdiction  and  give  it  an 
opportunity  of  availing  itself  of  his  instructions,  the  Grand  Lodge,  on 
being  informed  of  the  fact,  resolved  that  the  Lodges  should  be  in- 
structed to  discountenance  all  itinerant  lecturers  on  Fieemasonry,  and 
that  none  should  be  allowed  to  lecture  but  such  as  were  authorized  by 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  also  recommended  to  its  Subordinates  the  policy 
and  expediency  of  appropriating  an  annual  sum  for  the  putehase  of 
Masonic  books,  and  the  establishment  of  Masonic  libraries.  The 
Lodges  iti  Charleston  and  Columbia  were  advised  to  unite  in  each  place 
in  the  formation  of  a  common  library. 

The  Grand  Lodge  adopted  resolutims  of  condolence  and  sympathy 
on  the  occa-ion  of  the  death  of  11.  R.  W.  Hill,  late  Grand  Master  of 
the  Masons  of  Louisiana. 

Led  into  the  error  by  an  historical  blunder,  committed  by  Dr.  Dalcho, 
in  his  Ahiman  Rezon,  the  Grand  Lodge  had  always  been  under  the 
impression  that  the  first  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in  South  Carolina  had 
been  established  in  the  year  1754.  As  a  century  would  expire  on  the 
27th  of  December,  in  the  next  year,  since  that  era,  the  Grand  Lodge 
determined  to  pay  due  honor  to  the  event,  and  it  was  resolved  to  pub- 
licly celebrate  the  "centennial  anniversary  of  the  establishment  of  a 
Grand  Lodge  in  this  State,"  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  A.  G. 
Mackey,  E.  Thayer  and  John  A.  Gyles,  was  appointed  to  report,  the 
necessary  arrangements  at  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  March,  1854, 


IK  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  4qo 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  Bro 
W.  L  Cleveland.  Past  Gmud  Master,  installed  Bro.  Alfred  Price,  the 
Grand  Master  elect,  who  then  installed  the  other  officers.  An  ad- 
dress was  delivered  by  Bro.  Ebenezer  Thayer,  Senior  Grand  Warden 
for  which  he  received  the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Grand 
L„dge  being  closed,  the  celebration  of  the  day  was  concluded  by  the 
usual  bauquet. 


404  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

THE   YEAR    1854. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1854: 

Alfred  Price,  Grand  Master; 

Job  Johnston,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

EBENEZER  THAYER,  Senior  Grand    Warden; 

JolIN  A.  Gyles,  Junior    Grand    Warden; 

Eli.'.S  15.  tiORT,    Grand   Chaplain; 

J.  H.  Honour,   Grand    Treasurer ; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

J.  C.  Beckmann,    )         . 

T,    „T    0  f  oenior  brand  JJcacons ; 

II.  W.  &CI1RODER,    )  ' 

J.  B.  Wynne,     )   r     ■     n       ?   n 

>  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

G.  Z.  Waldron,  ) 

George  H.  Walter,  Grand  Marshal; 

Archibald  Armstrong,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

Henry  Buist,        )  n       7  e.         7 
'  I  Grand  Steicutas; 

E.  J   Anderson,    j 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  3d  of  January,  1854,  when  the  report 
of  the  committee  on  the  powers  of  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  which 
has  already  been  given,  was  adopted. 

The  Grand  Lodge  also,  on  the  recommendation  of  its  committee, 
adopted  the  mode  of  voting  by  a  show  of  hands. 

The  sum  of  three  hundred  do'lars  was  voted  to  Bro.  Mackey  as  com- 
pensation for  his  labor  in  editing  the  last  edition  of  the  Ahiman  Uezon. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  7th  of  March,  1854.  The  Grand 
Lodge  refused  to  permit  the  Bast  Masters  of  Lodges  to  be  recorded  as 
being  present  at  the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  representatives  were.  The  principle  was  thus  sustained 
that  Bast  Masters  arc  not  by  right,  but  simply  by  courtesy,  members  of 
the  Graud  Lodge,  a  priuciple  long  before  supported  by  the  Constitution, 


W  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  405 

which  provided  that  representatives  only,  and  not  Past  Masters,  should 
be  counted  in  making  a  quorum  fur  business. 

Further  arrangements  were  made  for  the  celebration  of  the  centen- 
nial anniversary,  and  Samuel  Henry  Dickson,  M.D.,  a  Past  Master  of 
Orange  Lodge  No.   14,  was  elected  the  Orator  for  the  occasion. 

W.  L  Cleveland,  Past  Grand  Master,  having  been  elected  a  life 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day, 
objections  were  made  to  the  legality  of  that  election  on  the  ground  that 
the  constitution  had  provided  that  no  business  of  a  private,  nature 
should  be  transacted  on  that  day.  The  Grand  Lodge,  therefore,  at 
this  Communication  confirmed  that  election. 

Warrants  of  Constitution  were  granted  '.o  Chester  Lodge  No.  18,  at 
Chester  Court  House,  and  to  Collier's  Lodge  at  Collier's  Post  Office. 
The  latter  Lodge  was  never,  however,  organized. 

Special  Communication  on  the  30th  of  March,  1854.  Application 
having  been  made  by  Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurensville,  for  the 
pecuniary  assistance  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  establishment  of  a 
Female  College  at  that  place,  the  Grand  Lodge  deemed  it  inexpedient 
to  comply  with  the  request  or  to  act  in  the  matter. 

The  necessary  arrangements  for  the  celebration  of  the  centennial 
anniversary  again  occupied  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  a 
suggestion  was  made  that  a  centennial  medal  be  provided,  but.  the  sug- 
gestion was  never  acted  on,  and  it  is  well  that  it  never  was,  as  it  would 
have  been  the  metallic  perpetuation  of  an  historical  mis  statement  which 
made  the  centennial  anniversary  occur  in  1854  instead  of  1837,  which 
was  its  true  date. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  0th  of  June,  1851.  A  brother, 
who  hid  been  su-pmded  by  Lodge  No.  5,  for  non-payment  of  Lodge 
dues,  when  he  was  fifteen  months  in  arrears,  had  subsequently  offered 
to  pay  the  debt,  when  the  Lodge  demanded  the  additional  amount 
which  had  accrued  from  the  time  of  his  suspension  to  the  time  when 
he  had  offered  to  pay.  Uut  on  I. is  appeal,  the  Grand  Lodge  expressed 
the  opinion  that  he  did  not  remain  a  member  of  the  Lodge  af:cr  the 
fifte  n  months,  and  was  not,  therefore,  liable  for  dues  beyond  that 
period. 

Quarterly  Communica.ion  on  the  Gth  of  June,  1854.  The  com- 
mittee recommended  the  following  arrangements  for  the  celebration  of 
the  centennial  aniversaiy,  and  the  recommendations  were  adopted: 

I.  The  oration  to  be  delivered  at  the  hall  of  the  South  Carolina  In- 
Btituie. 


406  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

2.  A  public  installation  of  the  Grand  Officers  to  precede  the  delivery 
of  the  oration  in  the  hall. 

3.  The  banquet  at  the  celebration  to  be  a  dinner — tickets  for  which 
to  be  issued  by  the  committee.  Every  Mason  in  good  standing  to  be 
allowed  to  purchase  a  ticket  for  the  banquet,  on  paying  five  dollars  for 
the  same. 

4.  The  Grand  Officers  of  the  various  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United 
States;  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  Wilmington  (N.  C);  Savannah 
and  Augusta  (Geo.);  St.  Augustine  and  Jacksonville  (F'orida);  and 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  of  this  jurisdiction,  to  be  invited  to  attend  the 
celebration ;  and  tickets  for  the  banquet  to  be  provided  for  such 
brethreu  who  may  come  from  Lodges  out  of  this  State,  to  be  paid  by 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

5.  The  Grand  and  Subordinate  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
Encampment  of  Knight  Templars;  Pelican  Chapter  of  Rose  Croix 
Masons;  and  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty-third  degree  .Vncie.fe 
and  Accepted  Rite,  to  be  invited  to  take  part  in  the  celebration. 

6.  The  music  to  be  provided  ftr  the  procession,  ser  ices  at  the  hall 
of  the  Institute,  and  Banquet,  t>>  be  paid  by  the  Grand  L  dge.  The 
printing  necessary  also  for  the  same,  to  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

7.  The  committee  to  be  instructed  to  address  the  Lodges  of  the  juris- 
diction to  apprnpriate,  and  also  raise  by  subscriptions,  such  amounts  as 
they  may  deem  proper  to  aid  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  tho  cele- 
bration. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  September,  1854.  A 
warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  to  Claremont  Lodge  No.  C4,  at 
Sumterville. 

Special  Communication  on  the  30th  of  October,  1854.  During  the 
summer,  the  Lodge  room  had  been  emblematically  painted  in  fresco, 
and  was  now  opeued  for  the  first  time  after  it  had  been  temporarily 
closed  for  the  purpose  of  being  painted.  The  Hall  Committee,  under 
whose  directions  it  had  been  decorated,  had  requested  Dr.  A.  G. 
Mackey  to  prepare  a  discourse  explanatory  of  the  decorations  which 
had  been  placed  upon  t'ie  f-eiling  and  walls.  The  Grand  Lodge  was 
accordingly  convened,  and  Brother  Mackey  delivered  the  following 

DESCRIPTIVE   DISCOURSE  : 

Masonry  being  peculiarly  distinguish. d  as  a  system  of  symbolism,  the 
interpretation  of  which  constitutes  its  science,  an  attempt  has  been 
made  in  the  decoratious  of  the  Lodge  room  to  call  the  attention  of  the. 


TNT  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  407 

spectator  to  all  the  most  important  symbols  of  our  Institution,  so  tliat 
like  the  Egyptian  temples  of  old,  <ur  Masonic  temple  may  contain, 
upon  its  ceiling  and  walls,  a  record  in  our  own  sacred  language  of  the 
doctrines  which  wc  teach.  While  selecting,  for  this  purpose,  the  most 
important  hieroglyphics  that  appertain  to  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  wc 
have  included,  that  the  entire  series  of  esoteric  instruction  may  be 
completely  incorporated  in  the  plan,  the  emblems  and  symbols  of  those 
higher  degrees,  both  in  the  York  Kite  and  in  the  Philosophical  degrees 
of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted,  which  illustrate  and  complete  the  circle 
of  divine  knowledge  which  the  universal  system  of  Freemasn:iry 
embraces.  An  attempt  has  also  been  made,  not  only  in  the  selection 
but  the  arrangement  and  peculiar  collocation  of  these  symbols,  to  refer 
to  some  of  our  well  concealed  but  equally  well  understood  dogmas. 

On  glancing  at  the  ceiling  the  spectator  will  discover  that  it  is 
divided  into  three  squares,  within  each  of  which  is  a  circle.  The  circle 
■within  the  square  is  itself  a  Masonic  symbol  of  high  import,  and  is  to 
be  found  inscribed  upon  the  jewels  and  aprons  of  some  of  the  higher 
d-.'grces.  The  Circle  is  a  symbol  of  Eternity,  the  most  important 
attribute  of  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe,  the  one  single 
object  of  Masonic  worship,  while  the  Square  is  a  symbol  of  Perfection, 
the  attainment  of  wh'ch  is  the  great  design  of  all  Masonic  teaching. 
The  Circle  being  then  in  our  system  a  symbol  of  Deity,  and  the  Square 
or  Cube  of  the  upright  atid  well  instructed  Mason,  who,  as  Aristotle 
observes  of  th°  good  man,  "  is  of  a  square  posture  and  without 
reproof,"  the  Circle  within  the  Square  is  intended,  hieroglyphically,  to 
represent  to  us  the  necessity  of  living  with  God  within  us,  having,  as 
our  ritual  expresses  it,  "  prepared  our  bodies  as  living  stones  for  that 
spiritual  temple,  that  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens."  The  Circle  within  the  Square  is  the  symbol  of  God  dwell- 
ing in  and  with  the  true  Mason,  and  has  hence  been  appropriately 
adopted  as  the  ground  work  on  which  those  other  symbols  are  to  be 
placed  which  make  up  the  sum  and  substance  of  our  Masonic  system 
of  ethical  science. 

The  spice  at  the  internal  corner  of  each  square  is  occupied  with 
arabesque  figure1-  and  medallions,  in  which  arc  alternately  displayed 
the  Five  pointed  Star,  the  symbol  of  Masonic  Fellowship,  and  tho 
heral  lie  Kose  or  Cinquefoil,  the  symbol  of  Masonic  secrecy. 

Each  of  the  three  internal  circles  on  the  ceiling  is  divided  into  eight 
compartments.  Four  of  these  arc  occupied  by  full  e  igth  allegorical 
figures,  aud  four  alternate  ones  with  symbols. 


408  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

In  the  easternmost  circle  w?.  find  the  four  all-gorical  figures  of  Tem- 
perance, Fortitude,  Prudence  and  Justice,  the  four  cardinal  virtues 
which  are  so  beautifully  and  impressively  illustrated  in  the  ritual  of 
the  first  degree,  and  which,  from  their  important  bearing  on  the 
Masonic  Points  of  Entrance,  have  been  thought  to  be  justly  entitled 
to  the  conspicuous  position  which  they  occupy. 

The  alternate  compartments  are  ornamente  i  with  symbols  peculiar 
to  the  three  degrees  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry.  Appropriate  to  the 
first  degree  we  find  the  Limb,  the  symbol  of  purity  of  life,  the  neces- 
sary prerequisite  for  initiation  both  into  the  earthly  and  the  Celestial 
Lodge,  and  the  Holy  Bible,  Square  ami  Compass,  the  peculi.tr  symbol 
of  Freemasonry  itself,  as  the  Crescent  is  of  Mohammedanism,  or  the 
Cross  of  Christianity,  and  whit  h  has  hence  been  distinguished  in  our 
ritual  as   "  the  necoss.try  furni:ure  of  a  Lodge." 

In  th 3  second  degree  has  be  m  appropriated  the  E.i.r  nf  Corn,  the 
symbol,  with  every  Fellow  Craft,  of  Plenty,  and  which,  in  our  recon- 
dite science,  refers  by  an  easy  and  rational  but  esoteric  inctho  1  to  the 
Masonic  system  of  recognition. 

The  third  degree  has  supplied  the  Spriij  of  Acacia,  that  memorable 
emblem,  consecrated  by  every  Master  Mason  as  the  symbol  of  the  Im- 
mortality of  the  Soul,  the  great  truth,  the  teaching  of  which  is  the 
sublimest  object  of  the  Masonic  Institution* 

In  th.*  central  circle  three  of  the  compartments  are  occupied  by  the 
allegoric  figures  of  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity,  those  Masonic  as  well  as 
theological  virtues,  which  in  our  system  inculcate  fai  h  in  God,  hope  of 
immortality,  and  charity  to  all  mankind.  A  fourth  compartment  is 
occupied  with  the  representation  of  Moses  at  the  bun.ing  bud),  a  sub- 
ject borrowed  from  the  Ritual  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  and  intended 
to  intimate  that  this  central  circle  has  been  dedicated  to  the  0:der  of 
the  Royal  Arch  ;  for  which  reason,  therefore,  all  these  symbols  in  the 
circle  are  taken  from  that  order. 

These  symbols  consist  of  the  Spade  Pickaxe  and  Crow,  the  Double 
Triangle,  the  Serpent  biting  his  tail,  and  enclosing  the  Triple  Tau,  and 
the  Sacred  Delta. 

The  Spade,  Pickaxe  and  Crow  are  the  working  tools  of  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason,  and  therefore  occupy  the  same  place  in  the  Ritual  of  that 
degree  as  the  Square,  Level  and  Plumb  do  in  that  of  the  Fellow  Craft, 
or  the  Twcuty-four  inch  Gauge  and  Gavel  in  that  of  the  Entered  Ap- 
prentice. 

All  the  symbols  of  the  Royal  Arch,  which  has  so  appropriately  been 


IN  SOUTH  CAROTJXA.  409 

called  the  summit  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  refer  to  the  Deity,  and 
hence  the  reimining  three  symbol*  in  this  circle  will  be  found  to 
convey  an  allusion  to  some  of  the  attributes  of  the  Great  Architect  of 
the  Universe. 

The  Serpent  is  one  of  the  oldest  :is  well  as  most  universal  of  all 
symbols.  It  p"rvad:d  all  the  ancient  systems,  and  before  the  advent 
of  purer  light,  it  wis  worshipped  with  Divine  honors  by  many  of  the 
nations  and  peoples  of  antiquity.  Among  the  Egyptians,  from  whom, 
most  probably,  we  have  remotely  derived  it,  the  Serpent  was  the 
emblem  of  their  God  Cnoph,  the  Domiurgos  or  Maker  of  all  things,  on 
account,  it  is  suppled,  of  its  extended  longevity,  and  its  continual  re- 
Vlviscence.  !n  the  place  which  it  now  occupies,  the  Serpent  is  an 
emblem  of  the  Eternal  Master  of  the  I'niverse.  The  figure  which  it 
surrounds  is  comp  >sed  of  three  Tun  crosses,  and  is  hence  called  the 
Triple  Ton.  It  is  the  peculiar  badge  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  and  by 
our  English  brethren  is  called  "the  emblem  of  all  emblems"  and 
'•the  grand  e  nbleui  of  [loyal  Arch  Masonry  "  It  has  be  n  explained 
as  a  sy.i.bol  designating  and  separating  those  who  km  w  and  worship 
the  true  name  of  God  from  those  who  are  ignorant  of  that  august 
mystery. 

The  Double  Triangle  is  a  symbd  of  groat  importance,  and  of  varied 
signification  in  Masonry.  Among  the  Orientalists,  this  figure  consti- 
tuted the  Seal  of  our  Grand  Master  Solomon,  and  a  Masonic  tradition, 
derived  from  the  T.-dmudic  writers,  asserts  that  it  was  inscribed  upon 
the  foundation  stone  of  the  temple.  As  a  Royal  Arch  symbol,  it  ;s, 
however,  described  by  Rosenborg,  as  referring  to  the  two  temples,  that 
of  Solomon,  and  that  of  Zcrubbibel. 

Hut  the  most  important  t,f  these  symbols  is  the  Delta  or  Pscred 
Triangle,  enclosing  the  ineffable  nutria  of  God  in  Hebrew  characters'. 
The  Equilateral  Triangle  was  adopted  by  nearly  all  the  nations  of 
antiquity  as  a  symbol  of  the  Deity.  As  such,  it  was  introluced  into 
the  Jewish  system,  where  the  letter  Yod,  within  the  Triangle,  was 
made  to  represent  the  Tetragrauimatoii,  or  four  lettered  name.  Under 
the  title  of  the  Delta,  derived  from  the  name  of  the  fourth  letter  of  the 
Grreek  alphabet, -it  f  rms  the  most  important  Byubol  of  Royal  Arch 
Masonry,  and  is  intimately  coniuctcd  with  the  traditions  and  Ritual  of 
that  degree. 

Three  of  the  compartments  of  the  westernmost  circle,  or  the  one 
nearest  to  the  door,  are  occupied  with  allegorical  figures  of  I'eace,  Unity 
aud  Plenty.     These  will   at  once    be    recognized    as    portions    of  the 


410  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

second  degree,  and  will,  by  the  intelligent  Mason,  be  readily  referred 
by  easy  association  to  those  mystic  pillars  which  stood  at  the  porch  of 
the  ancient  temple.  As  these  were  among  our  ancient  brethren 
symbols  of  the  superintending  care  of  Divine  Providence,  once  so  mi- 
racul  u>ly  exhibited  in  the  pillars  of  cloud  and  tire  which  preceded  the 
Israelites  in  their  journeying*  through  the  wilderness,  they  have,  both 
in  respect  to  that  peculiar  symbolism,  and  in  reference  to  the  position 
of  the  pillars  in  the  temple,  been  placed  at  the  extreme  western  termi- 
nation of  the  ceiling,  nearest  to  the  entrance  of  the  Lodge. 

The  fourth  compartment  is  occupied  by  the  figure  of  a  Knight 
Templar,  in  the  attitude  of  being  dubbed  or  created  a  Knight.  This 
compart  iientis  dedicated  to  the  Encampment  of  that  body  which  meets 
in  the  Hall,  and  alsc  indicates  that  the  surrounding  symbols  are  con- 
secrated to  the  degrees  of  Chivahy,  and  the  higher  degrees  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  as  well  as  to  the  ab-truser  system  of  Philo- 
sophic Masonry. 

These  symbols  are  the  Paschal  Lamb,  the  Pelican,  the  Winged  Globe, 
and  the  Spliynx. 

The  Pasehil  Limb,  says  Di  Iron,  "whieh  was  eaten  by  the  Israelites 
on  the  night  prece  ling  their  depirture,  is  the  type  of  that  other  Divine 
Li  nb,  of  whom  Christians  are  to  pirtake  at  E  ister,  in  order  thereby  to 
free  themselves  from  the  bondage  in  which  they  are  held  by  vice." 
The  Paschal  Limb,  or  Li  nb  bearing  a  Cross,  wis  early  depicted  by  the 
Christians  as  a  symb  >1  of  Christ  craeified  Hence,  it  has  been  ad  pted 
by  the  Templars,  who  practice  a  Christian  d  'gree,  as  referring,  to  use 
the  language  of  their  Ritual,  to  "the  spotless  Lamb  of  God,  who  was 
slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 

The  Pelican  is  to  the  Rose  Croix  Masons  of  the  Ancient  and  Ac- 
cepted Kite,  what  the  Paschal  Lamb  is  to  the  Templars.  With  them, 
it  is  a  symbol  of  Perfect  Charity,  which  they  exemplify  in  the  person 
of  Him  who  shed  his  blood  for  the  salvation  of  the  world. 

These  two  symbols  have  been  selec  ed  as  decorations  of  the  ceiling, 
as  a  just  and  expected  contribution  to  those  two  societies  which  are 
accustomed  to  meet  in  our  hall,  whose  members  are  all  so  closely  con- 
nected with  us  by  the  ties  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry,  and  who  claim, 
with  what  justice  this  is  not  the  place  to  examine,  that  their  own 
peculiar  systems  are  but  legitimate  applioatims  of  the  universal  princi- 
ples of  our  Order. 

The  remaining  symbols,  the  Winged  Globe  and  the  Sphynx,  are 
more  abstruse  than  any  that  have  yet  been  described,  but  their  pres- 


-     IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  41 1 

cneo  here  is  to  be  attributed  to  that  universally  received  doctrine,  that 
Egypt,  the  birth  place  of  mystery,  gave  origin,  however  remotely,  to 
our  Order.  In  the  Scriptures  we  are  told  of  the  "  wise  men  and  the 
Uiagioians  of  Egypt;"  wo  are  informed  that  Moses  was  learned  in  "all 
the  wisdom  of  the  Egyptians,"  and  that  Christ  at  his  birth  was  visited 
by  "the  wise  men  of  the  East."  The  Grecian  and  Roman  writers 
also  speak  repeatedly,  ani  with  admiration,  of  the  philosophy  of  the 
Egyptians,  and  indeed  it  has  been  universally  admitted  that  all  the 
learning  of  antiquity  was  originally  derived  from  Eirypt.  One  of  our 
own  old  traditions  traces  our  Order  under  its  primitive  name  of  Geome- 
try, to  the  land  of  the  Pyramids.  These  sy  nb  ils  may,  therefore,  be 
considered  as  contributions  from  Ma  onry  to  that  ancient  country 
where  its  mystic  system  was  first  developed. 

The  Winged  Globe  as  the  emblem  of  Khoper,  the  Creator  Sun,  was 
adopted  by  the  Egyptians  as  their  national  symbol,  as  the  Lion  is  that 
of  England,  or  the  Eagle  of  America.  Hence,  the  Prophet  Isaiah 
(xviii  )  in  some  of  those  burning  strains  which,  ill  the  original,  so  sur- 
pass in  the  fervor  of  their  poetry  all  that  Find. ir  ever  sung,  that  not 
even  an  inadequate  tran-lation  can  alt,  ><rether  extinguish  their  fire,  thus 
apostrophizes  Egypt.  I  select  not  the  authorized  version,  but  the  more 
tiuthful  interpretation  of  Kosellini  : 

"  Ho,  Land  of  the  Winged  Globe,  which  art  beyond  the  rivets  of 
Cu>h,  that  se\dest  into  the  sea  as  messengers  the  canals  of  thy  waters, 
and  that  uavigatest  with  boats  of  papyrus  on  the  face  of  the  wave-." 

The  Spliynx,  as  we  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to  see,  was  pecu- 
liarly an  Egyptian  symbol,  though  now  incorporated  into  the  M  sonic 
system,  and,  as  an  emblem  of  Mystery,  was  placed  upon  the  en  tin  nee 
of  all  their  temples.  Its  repetition  at  the  door  will  give  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  a  fuller  elucidation. 

Leaving  now  the  ceiling,  I  request  you  to  cast  your  eyes  upon  the 
coving  or  summit  of  the  walls,  where  you  will  find  eight  purely 
Masonic  symbols,  arranged  as  follows:  One  over  the  clnir  of  the 
Master  in  the  East,  a  second  in  the  opposite  point  over  the  position  of 
the  Senior  Warden  in  the  Wes4, ;  three  at  equal  distances  on  the  South 
wall  and  three  on  the  North.  For  these  may  be  claimed  not  only 
excellent  reasons  for  their  particular  selection  out  of  the  mass  of  sym- 
bols from  which  they  were  chosen,  but  also,  and  more  particularly,  for 
their  appropriation  and  distribution.  Any  one  of  these  eight  symbols 
transplanted  from  the  place  which  it  now  occupies  and  exchanged  to 
any  other  would  have  lost,  by  the  removal,  much  of  the  character  of 


412  HISTORY  OF  FREKMASONTlY 

symbolic  instruction  which  it  was  intended  to  convey.  The  place  of 
the  symbol,  as  well  as  the  symbol  itself,  is  pregnant  with  distinctive 
emblem;  tic  signification. 

In  the  East,  over  the  pedestal  of  the  Worshipful  Master,  we  fini 
that  all  important,  that  truly  and  peculiu*  Masonic  symbol,  the  letter 
G,  consecrated  to  our  memories  in  the  language  of  the  immortal 
Burns,  as 

" that  Hieroglyphic  bright 

Which  none  but  Craftsmen  ever  saw." 

It  beams  in  its  bright  effulgence  from  the  East,  the  place  of  light,  first 
to  attract  'he  attention  of  the  Neophyte,  who  is  soon  to  learu  from  him 
who  sits  beneath  it  its  esoteric  meaning. 

With  equal  appropriateness  we  find  immediately  opposite,  in  the 
West,  that  other  strictly  Masonic  symbol,  the  point  within  a  circle, 
embordjred  by  two  perpendicular  pirallol  lines,  and  the  Hook  of  .  oly 
Scriptures  resting  on  the  su  limit.  Placed  here,  this  symbol  is  ever 
directly  in  view  of  the  Presiding  Officer,  to  remind  him  of  the  dis-" 
tinguished  virtue  of  the  Saints  John,  to  whom,  as  patrons  of  the  Order, 
our  Lodges  are  dedicated,  and  also  to  admonish  him  of  tile  moral 
duries  he  is  to  inculcate,  which  are  symbolized  by  the  point  within  a 
cirele,  and  the  Book  o!  Scrip'uies  which  that  circle  supports.  Our 
Ritual  requires  that  this  expressive  symbol  should  be  fou  id  in  every 
well  regulated  Lodge,  and  here  accordingly  it  occupies  the  most  promi- 
nent place  which  could  be  appropriated  to  it,  next  to  that  assu  i.ed  by 
th  paramount  claims  of  the  mystic  letter,  which  has  already  been., 
described. 

Commencing  now  with  the  symbols  on  the  coving  of  the  Southern 
wall  W3  are  first  attracted  by  the  Urn  of  Incense  displayed  above  the 
Secretary's  desk.  The  Urn  of  Incense  is  an  emblem  intended, 
Masonically,  to  remind  us  that  the  thoughts  of  a  pu>"e  heart  are  the 
best  incense  that  we  can  offer  to  D^ity  In  its  approximation  to  the 
appropriate  position  of  our  Recording  Officer,  its  teachings  are  intended 
to  be,  that  the  records  of  all  that  is  sail  and  done  in  this  sa:-rcd 
asylum  should  bear  evidence  that  pure  hearts  and  fraternal  affections 
have  sought  to  offer  from  our  transactions  that  incense  of  devotion  to 
the  Supreme  Architect  which  good  deeds  and  kindly  words  can  alone 
enkindle. 

In  the  South,  over  the  Pedestal  of  the  Junior  Warden,  is  appropri- 
ately placed  the  Winged  [lour  Glass,  the  symbol  of  the  pr  igress  of 
Time,  aud  from  its  position  indicating  oue  of  the  most  important  du- 


IX  SOUTn  CAROLINA.  413 

ties  of  that  officer,  in  the  vicinity  of  whose  seat  it  is  placed,  which  is 
correctly  to  observe  the  time,  and  judiciously  to  control  its  occupation. 

The  Book  of  Constitutions,  guarded  by  the  Tiler's  Sword,  is  a  Ma- 
sonic symbol  of  circumspection,  and  as  such,  has  been  placd  near  the 
spot  occupied  by  the  Tiler,  to  which  officer  the  practice  of  that  virtue 
is  always  so  particularly   recommended. 

Passing  over  to  the  coving  of  the  North  wall,  we  find  at  i's  Western 
ex'remity  the  Lambskin,  the  peculiar  badge  of  a  Mason,  which  has 
been  placed  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Pedestal  of  the  Senior  War- 
den, because  to  that  officer  is  entrusted  the  duty  of  first  instructing  the 
candidate  in  the  mode  of  wearing  it. 

Tn  the  centre  of  the  North  wall,  and  opposite  to  the  Junior  Warden's 
Pedestal,  is  inscribed  the  Anchor  and  A>k.  These  are  the  well  known 
symbols  of  a  firm  reliance  on  Divine  Providence,  to  be  derived  only 
from  a  well  learned  knowledge  of  the.  character  (if  the  Supreme  Archi- 
tect of  the  Universe,  of  his  superintending  wisdom,  power  and  good- 
ness, truths  which  are  de  ply  engrafted  in.  and  so  widely  diffused  through 
the  whole  system  of  Freemasonry,  that  their  divine  ravs  illuminate  by 
this  expressive  symbol  even  the  North,  the  darkest  point  of  the  Lodge. 

Lastly,  over  the  desk  of  the  Treasurer  is  placed  the  Bee  Hive,  the 
symbol  of  Industry,  and  thus,  by  its  appropriate  position,  is  it  intended 
to  show  the  connexion  between  that  virtue  and  the  peculiar  functions 
and  duties  of  the  financial  officer  of  our  Order. 

Your  attention  is  now  directed  to  seven  statues  or  i  ffigies,  the  num- 
ber being  in  itself  symbolic,  which  are  placed  around  the  walls.  On 
the  South  wall  are  placed  the  effigies  of  Minerva,  Venus  and  Hercules, 
employed  as  symbols  of  Wisdom.  Beauty  and  Strength,  so  arranged  as 
that  the  figure  symbolic  of  Wisdom  is  in  the  Hast,  that  symbolic  of 
Strength  in  the  West,  and  that  symbolic  of  Beauty  behind  the  scat  of 
the  Junior  Warden,  in  'he  South,  thus  occupying  the  positions  as- 
signed by  our  rituals  to  these  Masonic  attributes. 

In  the  West,  the  attention  is  attracted  by  the  figure  of  TTarpocrates, 
or,  as  Wilkinson  suggests  tint  he  wis  called  by  the  Egyptians,  ITor- 
Phocrat.  lie  is  fabled  among  the  ancients  as  the  God  of  Silence. 
"He  was,"  says  Plutarch,  ''the  corrector  and  rectifier  of  those  weak, 
incomplete  notions  which  we  are  apt  to  form  of  the  Divine  nature,  for 
which  reason  we  see  him  described  with  his  finger  pointing  to  his  mouth, 
a  proper  emblcuJ  of  that  modest  and  cautious  silence  we  should  ob  erve 
ou  such  subjects."      It  is  needless   to  say  how  appropriate  such  a  '  gure 


414  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

b,  even  in  its  present  conspicuous  position,  in  a  Hall  dedicated  to  the 
uses  of  a  Society,  whose  v  ry  life-blood  is  its  silence  and  its  secrecy. 

On  the  North*  rn  side  of  ";he  roo :'n  three  other  effigies  arrest  v\xr  at- 
tention, which  are  intended  symbolically  to-  describe  the  purposes  for 
which  this  Hall  was  erected. 

Over  the  Eastern  mantlepiece  is  placed  the  figure  of  Solomon,  as 
the  Representative  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry;  over  the  Western  is 
found  that  of  the  High  Priest  Joshua,  as  the  Representative  of  Royal 
Arch  Masonry,  whde  between  these  is  situated  that  of  James  de  Molay, 
the  martyred  Grand  Master  of  the  Templars,  as  the  Representative  of 
the  Degrees  of  Chivalry  and  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  in 
which  he  plays  so  important  a  part. 

As  all  the  various  bodies  which  have  thus  been  alluded  to  by  these 
statues,  are  in  the  habit  of  meeting  in  this  Hall  with  equal  claims  and 
privileges  as  members  of  the  same  Institution,  though  practicing  differ- 
ent rites  in  its  co-ordinate  branches,  it  is  trusted  by  the  committee  that 
no  intolerance  of  opinion  would  make  any  brother  desire  the  exclusion 
of  any  figure,  because  it  referred  or  was  consecrated  to  a  portion  of  the 
Order  of  which  he  was  not  himself  a  member. 

It  would,  perhaps,  have  been  desirable  to  have  selected  Zerubbabel  as 
the  Representative  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  instead  of  his  companion 
Joshua;  but  the  requirements  of  art  and  taste  demanded  a  variety  in 
the  figures  which  could  not  have  been  achieved  if  two  Kings  of  Israel, 
whose  costumes  would  have  been  necessarily  identical,  had  been  chosen. 
Besides,  there  is  no  manifest  impropriety  in  the  choice  as  a  Masonic 
decoration  of  the  figure  of  that  Jewish  High  Priest,  who  was  equally 
engaged  with  the  Prince  of  the  Captivity  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Royal  Arch  Degree. 

No  explanation  is  certainly  needed  of  the  Square  and  Compass  upon 
the  doors,  or  of  the  Square,  Level  and  Plumb  upon  the  Pedestals;  the 
purposes  of  these  symbols  are  at  once  apparent  to  every  Mason.  But 
I  may  call  your  attention  to  the  figure  of  the  Sphynx,  which  is  placed 
above  the  Tiler's  door  and  the  door  of  preparation.  The  Sphynx,  it 
has  already  been  said,  was  an  Egyptian  symbol  of  mystery,  and  as  such 
was  placed  over  the  doors  of  the  Egyptian  temples  as  an  indication  of 
the  mystic  nature  of  the  rites  therein  celebrated.  What  more  appro- 
priate symbol  could  then  be  placed  upon  the  doors  of  a  Masonic  Lodge? 
Each  in  its  grotesque  attitude  seems  to  speak  from  its  elevated  pannel 
in  the  language  of  the  ancient  hierophant,  procut,  0}  procul,  este  pro- 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  415 

fani.  Away,  ye  profane  and  uninitiated,  nor  dare  to  mingle,  with 
unlawful  curiosity,   in  the  mystic  forms  of  our  solemn  ritual. 

I  cannot  conclude  this  brief  description  without  calling  your  atten- 
tion to  the  skillful  and  masterly  style  in  which  these  decorations  have 
been  executed  by  Messrs.  Koch  and  Schneider,  the  artist<  employed 
for  that  purpose  by  the  Hall  Committee.  A  Masonic  head  may  have 
devi>ed  the  symbols  and  directed  their  collocation,  but  it  is  to  the 
artistic  hands  of  these  masters  of  their  profession  that  we  are  indebted 
for  the  successful  carrying  out  of  the  plans,  and  the  admirable  embodi- 
ment, of  the  ideas  which  were  submitted  to  them. 

Having  thus  executed  the  trust  confided  to  them,  the  Hall  Committee 
now  present  the  Hall  to  their  bre:hren  as  a  fitting  asylum,  in  which  once 
more  to  resume  our  mystic  rites.  The  valuable  impressions  that  will 
be  made  upon  our  minds  as  we  nightly  assemble  around  our  common 
altar,  will  be,  tl  ey  believe,  no  inadequate  compensation  for  the  time, 
the  trouble,  and  the  expense  that  have  been  incurred  in  their  execution. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  December,  1854.  This 
being  the  annual  night  of  election,  Brother  Alfred  Price  was  reelected 
Grand  Master. 

The  opposition  to  the  proxy  system,  which  to  some  extent  had 
always  existed  in  the  Grand  Ledge,  was  now  beginning  to  develop 
itself  more  fully.  Two  attacks  were  made  upon  it  at  this  Communi- 
cation. One  of  them,  being  a  resolution  by  Brother  E.  Bull,  that 
votes  by  proxy  slv  uld  not  hereafter  be  exercised  in  the  election  of  the 
Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  ruled  out  of  order  by  the  Grand 
Master,  as  affecting  the  inherent  rights  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges. 
The  other  was  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  proposed  by  Brother 
il.  \V.  Schroder,  that  no  member  be  allowed  to  hold  more  than  one 
proxy.  This  was,  however,  in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the 
mover,  not  acted  on  at  the  subsequent  Quarterly  Communication,  and 
was  never  again  considered.  But  the  spirit  of  reform  was  making  slow 
yet  certain  progress,  and  these  two  motions  were  an  evidence  of  its  life 
and  activity,  which  were  in  time  to  be  fully  developed. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  and  the  centennial  anniver- 
sary (as  was  then  believed,)  of  the  establishment  of  a  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge,  were  celebrated  with  unusual  demonstrations.  The  Grand 
Lodge  assembled  at  Masonic  Hall,  at  10  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the 
27th  of  December,  L864.  lirother  A.  E.  Miller,  Past  Grand  Master, 
installed  Brother  Alfred  Price,  the  Graud  Master  elect,  who  then 
installed  the  other  officers. 


416  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  proceeded  to  the  celebration  of  the  centen- 
nial anniversary  of  the  organization  of  a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  in 
this  State. 

A  procession  was  formed  under  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Marshal, 
in  the  following  order: 

Symbolic  Lodges  according  to  the  dates  of  their  warrants,  the  younger 

first. 

Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  .Masons. 

Grand  Chapter  of  the  State. 

Royal  and  Select  Masons. 

Rose  Croix  Masons. 

Knights  Templars,  as  an  escort  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret. 

Supreme  Council  of  the  33d  Degree. 

Grand  Tiler. 

Grand    Stewards. 

Grand  Pursuivant  with  the  Sword  of  State. 

Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Guests  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Grand  Officers. 

Grand    Chaplain, 

Preceded  by  the  Holy  Bible  bor  ;e  by  an  aged  Mason. 

Past  Grand  Masters. 

Deputy  Grand  Misters. 

Grand   Master, 

Preceded  by  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  borne  by  the  Master  of  the 

olde-t  Lodge. 

The  procession  then  moved  through  Weutworth,  Meeting,  Calhoun, 
King,  Broad  and  Meeting  streets,  to  the  Hall  of  the  South  Caioliua 
Institute,  where  the  following  order  of  exercises  wis  observed  : 

Anthem — "  Let  there  be  light." 

Prayer,  by  Brother  J.  H.  II   nour,  (acting  as  Giand  Chaplain.) 

Anthem — "  When  Earth's  foundations." 

Oration,  by  Brother  S.  Henry  Dickson,  M.D.,  P.  M.  o!   Lodge  No.  14. 

Ode  by  th<j  Craft — "  Hail  Masonry  divine." 

Benediction,  by  the  Grand  Chaplaiu. 

The  procession  was  thou  reformed  and  returned  through  Meeting 
aud  Weutworth  streets  to  the  Lodge  room,  wliere,  ufier-a  vole  o*  thauks 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  41 7 

to  the  Orator  aud  to  the  musicians  and  choir,  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
closed. 

At  G  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  Craft  began  to  assemble  in  the  Lodge  room. 
At  half  past  G  the  whole  building  was  splendidly  illuminated  by  means 
of  more  than  five  hundred  candles  almost  simultaneously  lighted  in  all 
the  windows  of  the  second  and  third  stories.  At  7  o'clock  the  Craft 
were  inirohcd,  with  the  enlivening  air  of  the  band,  to  the  banqueting 
room,  where  four  tables  bad  been  laid  for  the  accommodation  of  about 
two  hundred  brethren.  According  to  the  immemorial  usage  of  the 
Craft  none  but  Masons  were  permitted  to  be  present.  The  Grand 
Master  presided  in  the  East,  assisted  by  the  Senior  Grand  Warden  in 
the  West,  and  the  Junior  Grand  Warden  in  the  South,  while  the  Craft 
were  attentively  waited  on  by  the  Grand  Stewards  aided  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements,  everything  being  conducted  according  to 
those  ancient  customs  which  are  now  only  preserved  at  Masonic 
festivals. 

The  tables  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Rutjes,  in  his  very  best  style. 
Everything  that  the  markets  could  supply  in  the  way  of  edibles  was 
there,  and  the  beautiful  Masonic  decorations  which  were  profusely  scat- 
tered aloi.g  the  tab.'es  in  the  form  of  temples,  banners.  &c.,  were  the 
admiration -of  many  persons  who  visited  the  hall  in  the  course  oi  the 
afternoon  to  examine  them. 

At  9  o'clock,  the  cloth  having  been  removed,  the  order  was  given 
by  the  Grand  Master  to  "charge  in  the  East,  West  aud  South,"  wheu 
the  following  regular  air:  volunteer  toasts  were  enthusiastically  drunk  : 

1.  Fni' masonry. — Standing  on  the  firm  basis  of  Divine  truth,  its 
superstructure  has  arisen  as  a  venerable  monument  of  the  wisdom  of 
its  founders  and  the  long  tried  fidelity  of  its  children. 

The  "Entered  Apprentice's  Song''  was  now  sung  by  Bro.  Sloman, 
in  his  very  best  style — the  who  c  company  joining  in  the  chorus,  with 
the  spirit  an  1  enthusiasm  that  it  always  inspires  among  the  Fraternity. 

'J..  The  Day  ire  Celtbiute, — The  seed  planted  one  hundred  years  ago 
has  grown,  and  strengthened,  and  expanded  into  a  stately  tree,  beneath 
Vihuse  protecting  shade  thousands  of  grateful  disciples  now  recline. 

3.  Oar  Past  Graiu1  Masters. —  Worthy  sueccssirs  of  a  venerable 
line,  they  have  well  and  faithfully  filled  the  Oriental  Chair — the  respect 
and  esteem  of  their  brethren  follow  them  in  their  retirement. 

Bro.  A.  E.  Miller,  1'ast  Grand  Master,  replied,  and  after  having 
alluded  in  affecting  terms  to  those  brethren  who,  since  his  initiation, 
had  occupied  the  Oriental  Chair,  so  many  of  whom  had  been  called 
27 


418  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOXRY 

away  by  the  Grand  Architect,  leaving  almost  himself  alone  as  a  memo- 
rial of  the  times  that  are  past,  he  coucluded  by  offering  the  following 
sentiment: 

The  Memory  of  the  deceased  Grand  Masters  of  our  day,  Bacof,  Cog- 
dell,  Edwards,  Eckhard  and  Norris.— They  erected  their  Masonic 
edifice  on  a  firm  foundation  :  the  perfect  Ashlar  of  Brotherly  Love, 
Relief  and  Truth. 

Drunk  standing  and  in  silence. 

4.  The  Orator  of  the  Day. — He  has  so  united  the  ornaments  of 
rhetoric  with  the  gravity  of  truth,  so  mingled  the  beautiful  in  stylo 
with  the  useful  in  matter,  as  to  have  given  equal  pleasure  and  instruc- 
tion to  his  delighted  auditors. 

Brother  Dickson  briefly  returned  thanks,  and  offered  the  following : 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. — May  its  next  centennial  an- 
niversary find  it  as  ably  officered,  as  worthily  represented,  and  as  happily 
met  together  as  the  present. 

Drunk  with  the  public  Grand  Honors. 

M.  W.  Brother  Alfred  Price  returned  thanks  in  behalf  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  proposed  the  following  sentiment: 

The  Subordinate  Lodges  of  this  Jurisdiction. — May  they  go  on  in- 
creasing in  numbers,  zeal  and  prosperity. 

5.  The  Ineffable  Degrees. — The  magnificent  entablature  that  sur- 
mounts the  solid  pediment  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry — the  graceful 
vine  that  encircles  and  decorates  the  massive  trunk  of  the  primitive 
Institution. 

Brother  John  H.  Honour,  Grand  Commander  of  the  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Rite  for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction,  replied  in  an  able  defence 
of  that  rite  from  the  unwarrantable  attacks  of  Brother  Mitchell,  the 
editor  of  the  Masonic  Signet,  and  concluded  with  the  following  senti- 
ment: 

Ancient  Craft  Masonry. — The  basis  upon  which  the  entire  super- 
structure of  Freemasonry  is  erected.  Destroy  that  and  the  edifice  falls 
into  ruin. 

6.  Our  Brethren  throughout  the  World.' — Light  to  the  uninformed, 
consolation  to  the  unhappy,  and  relief  to  the  distressed. 

7.  Our  Sister  Jurisdictions. — United  with  us  in  identity  of  purpose, 
and  cemented  by  the  intimate  relationship  of  our  mystic  tie,  we  rejoice 
in  their  prosperity  as  our  own. 

8.  Ihe  Masonic  Press. — Its  conductors  are  the  watchful  sentinels  on 
the  outposts  of  our  Order.     Like  the  Consuls  of  ancient  Rome,  it  is 


IN  SOUTII  CAROLIS.v.  41<j 

their  duty  to  see  that  the  commonwealth  of  Masonry  receive  no 
harm. 

Brother  Albert  G.  Mackey,  editor  of  the  Masonic  Miscellany,  replied. 
He  took  occasion  to  nSvert  to  the  importance  of  literary  research  in  the 
investigation  of  the  true,  scientific  and  philosophical  objects  of  Free- 
masonry, and  after  a  brief  sketch  of  the  progress  oi  Masonic  literature 
in  Kuiope  and  in  this  country,  he  gave  the  following: 

Tin-  Literature  of  Masonry. — The  only  key  with  which  the  initiated 
can  obtain  access-  to  the  subli  ne  truths  and  the  divine  principles  of  the 
Institution,  as  they  lie  enshrined  within  their  secret  casket  of  symbol- 
is  in. 

9.  Woman. — That  she  is  not  present  with  us  in  the  labors  of  our 
Lodges  is  our  Loss,  not  hers;  for  we  miss  the  encouragement,  of  her 
smile  and  the  example  of  her  tenderness,  }et  the  Mason  never  forgets 
the  Mason's  widow  and  the  Mason's  orphan  daughter. 

In  the  course  of  the  evening  the  following  among  many  other  volun- 
teer sentiments  were  given  : 

By  Brother  J.  A.  Gyles,  one  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements: 

The  Order  of  Knights  Templars. — Its  ancient  followers  found  a  wel- 
come refuge  in  the  bosom  of  our  Institution  from  the  oppression  of  an 
avaricious  King  and  perfidious  Pope — their  successors  have  well  repaid 
the  hospitality  by  their  devotion  to  the  true  interests  of  Freemasonry. 

Brother  T.  S.  Gourdin,  Eminent  Commander  of  South  Carolina  En- 
campment No.  1,  returned  thanks,  and  offered  the  following: 

The  Grand  and  Universal  Design  of  Freemasonry — to  inculcate  a 
knowledge  of  the  true  God  and  a  reverence  for  His  most  holy  name. 
May  Masons  of  all  degrees  be  ever  mindful  of  the  sublime  object  of 
our  Ancient  Order. 

By  Brother  George  H.  Walter,  one  of  the  committee  : 

The  Benevolent  Societies  of  our  City. — Although  not  concealed  like 
our  own  by  the  veil  of  mystery,  they,  like  Masonry,  are  founded  on 
the  imperishable  principle  of  brotherly  love. 

By  Brother  A.  G.  Mackey,  one  of  tiie  committee  : 

Our  Past  Grand  Master,  Brother  C.  M.  Furman. — As  a  citizen  we 
respect  him,  as  a  Past  Graud  Master  we  honor  him,  as  a  Mason  we 
love  him. 

Brother  Furman  returned  thanks  for  the  enthusiastic  manner  in 
which  this  sentiment  was  received,  and,  after  a  brief  but  interesting 
reference  to  the  progress  of  the  Iustitutiou  in  this  city  a;,d  State, 
offered  the  following : 


420  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Masonry. — Prison  fides  facto,  seel  fama  pcrennis. 

By  Brother  0.  Z.  Waldron,  one  of  the  committee: 

The  Grand  Marsltal  and  his  Assistants. — Tlie  baton  of  authority  was 
never  placed  in  better  hands,  nor  more  efficiently  wielded  than  on  the 
present  occasion. 

Brother  Henry  Buist,  Grand  Marshal,  returned  thanks  in  behalf  of 
his  assistants,  and  offered  the  following: 

The  First  Masonic  Martyr. — That  distinguished  Tyran  Artist  who 
sacrificed  his  life  in  defence  of  his  integrity.  Let  every  Mason  vene- 
rate his  memory  and  imitate  his  example. 

By  Brother  J.  A.  Chapman,  of  Edgefield  : 

Success  and  prosperity  to  the  brethren  of  the  Rose  Croix  and  all  the 
high  degrees. 

Brother  Archibald  Armstrong,  Senior  Warden  of  Pelican  Chapter 
of  Rose  Croix,  returned  thanks,  and  offered  the  following: 

Ancient  Craft  Masonry. — In  whatever  country  and  uuder  whatever 
name,  it  is  revered  by  all  true  Masons. 

By  Brother  E.  J.  Anderson  : 

Masonry. — The  only  human  institution  that  improves  with  time  and 
grows  strong  with  age.  May  it  flourish  in  immortal  youth,  unhurt 
amid  the  war  of  elements,  the  wreck  of  matter  and  the  crash  of  worlds. 

By  Brother  E.  Thayer: 

The  Centennial  Celebration  of  1954. — The  Craft  may  then  exhibit 
a  more  imposing  procession,  but  they  will  not  excel  the  brethren  of 
this  in  fervency,  zeal  or  devotion  to  the  sublime  principles  of  the 
OHcr. 

By  Brother  A.  Armstrong: 

The  Governor  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina. — The  high-toned 
gentleman  and  the  true  and  accepted  Mason.  Not  more  loved  by  the 
State  at  large  than  by  his  brethren  of  the  mystic  tie. 

By  Brother  John  Sloman  : 

Freemasonry. — The  moral  girdle  of  the  world. 

By  Brother  I.  D.  Mordecai,  of  Columbia  : 

The  Centennial  Anniversary. — The  only  regret  we  have  on  this  occa- 
sion is  that  it  cannot  occur  ot'tener  than  once  a  century. 

By  Brother  C.  F.  Lewis,  of  Augusta  : 

Masonic  Charity. — Like  the  dews  of  Heaven  it  falls  silent  and 
unseen,  but  not  unielt. 

By  Brother  G.  J.  Levy: 

The  Anniversary  we  have  this  day  commemorated. — May  the  bright 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


421 


eyes  and  warm  heart?  it  has  brought  together  never  be  dimmed  by 
Borrow  or  chilled  by  disappointment. 

By  Brother  A.  Moroso  : 

The  Gummift'-e  of  Arrangements . — They  are  entitled  to  our  thanks 
for  the  admirable  manner  in  which  they  have  executed  the  designs  laid 
down  upon  the  trestle  board  of  the  Grand  LoJ^e. 

By  Urother  T.  S.  Gourdin  : 

The  Sprig  of  Acacia. — The  symbjl  of  immortality  beyond  the 
grave.  May  we,  the  trials  of  life  being  ended,  receive  the  crown  pre- 
pared for  the  Elect  of  Truth. 

By  Brother  Albert  G.  Mackey  : 

The  Three  Precious  Jewels  of  a  Mason. — The  ear  that  can  hear  the 
cry  of  distress,  the  tongue  that  pronounces  no  slander,  and  the  breast 
that  can  feel  for  the  misfortunes  of  a  brother. 

Many  other  sentiments  were  drunk,  speeches  made  and  songs  sun?, 
and  St.  John's  Day  having  been  seen  through,  the  Craft  adjourned  at 
a  reasonable  hour— .'or  the  occasion— with  that  sobriety,  peace  and 
harmony  which  always  distinguish  Masonic  banquets. 


42'3  HISTORY  OE  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   XLYIII. 

THE   YEAR    1855. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1855; 

Alfred  Price,  Grand  Master; 

Job  Johnston,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

EBENEZER  THAYER,  Senior  Grand   Warden, 

JoiIN  A.  GYLES,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

ELIAS  B.  Hort,  Grand  Chaplain; 

J.  H.   HONOUR,   Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  G.  MaOKKY,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

J.  C.  Beck mann,  )  _    .  • 

n         tt    w  f  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

LrEO.   H.    WALTER,  )  ' 

G.  Z.  W ALB-RON,  >    j       .       n  rn 

>  Junior  Grand  Deacons? 
L  J.  Dawson,    ) 

Henry  BuiST,  Grand  Marshal; 

A.  Armstrong,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

J.  G.  Lege, 

Grand  Stewards  ; 


K.  E.  Scriven, 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand  Tiler; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  9th  of  January,  1855,  which  was 
called  for  the  adjudication  of  an  unusual  question.  At  the  Communi- 
cation in  the  preceding  September,  a  warrant  of  constitution  had  been 
granted  to  Claremont  Lodge  No.  64,  at  Sumterville.  The  Warrant  was 
made  out  by  the  Grand  Secretary  in  the  usual  form,  with  the  names  of 
the  Master  and  Wardens  who  had  been  nominated  in  the  previous  dis- 
pensation. In  December,  the  Grand  Master  himself  being  unable  to 
attend,  he  had  deputed  a  Past  Master  as  his  special  proxy  to  repair  to 
Sumterville  and  to  constitute  the  Lodge  and  install  the  officers.  On 
his  arrival  at  that  place  he  proceeded  to  open  a  Lodge  and  to  discharge 
the  duty  with  which  he  had  been  invested.  Unfortunately,  however, 
through  a  misapprehension  of  his  powers,  he  permitted  an  election  to 
be  held  and  new  officers  to  be  chosen,  whom  he  installed  at  once  into 
office,  instead  of  those  who   were  Darned   in   the  warrant.     The  old 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA  423 

Master,  under  the  dispensation,  and  whose  name  had  been  inserted  in 
the  warrant,  but  who  had  been  removed  by  the  new  election,  protested 
against  these  proceedings,  and  the  Grand  Master,  on  receiving  the 
protest,  issued  his  decree,  prohibiting  the  Lodge  from  work  until  the 
opinion  of  the  Grand  Lodge  could  be  obtained. 

On  an  investigation  of  all  the  circumstances,  the  Grand  Lodge  de- 
clared the  whole  proceedings  to  be  irregular  and  illegal,  and  revoked 
the  warrant,  but  as  the  members  of  the  Lodge  were  guiltless  of  a  willful 
violation  of  law,  it  issued  a  new  warrant,  and  permitted  the  Lodge  to 
be  reconstituted  and  to  proceed  to  labor. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  (3th  of  .March,  1855.  The  Grand 
Lo  !ge  adopted  a  series  of  regulations  for  conducting  Masonic  trials, 
which  had  beon  proposed  by  the  Grand  Secretary  at  the  Communication 
iu  December,  1854. 

One  of  the  Lodges  in  the  city  having  entertained  the  petition  of  a 
candidate,  who  is  described  to  have  been  slightly  lame  from  an  old  dis- 
location o'-  the  hip,  but  otherwise  unaffected  with  any  deformity,  the 
Grand  Master  prohibited  his  initiation.  An  appeal  from  this  decision 
was  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  a  petition  presented  by  the  Master 
and  Wardens  for  permission  to  confer  the  degrees  on  the  candidate. 
The  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee,  on  whose  report,  after  a  full 
discussion,  it  was  determined  "that  a  person,  who  is  lame  from  a  dis- 
location of  the  hip,  is  excluded  from  initiation  by  the  law  of  the  Book 
of  Constitutions  of  South  Carolina,  which  requires  every  candidate  to 
be  upright  iu  body,  not  deformed  or  dismembered,  but  of  hale  and 
entire  limbs  as  a  man  ought  to  be." 

Special  Communication  on  the  3d  of  May,  1S55,  when  the  question 
of  the  physical  qualifications  of  candidates,  which  has  just  been 
alluded  to,  was  adjudicated. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  5th  of  June,  1855.  A  point  of 
Masonic  jurisprudence  was  determined  at  this  Communication.  J. 
31.  \V.,  a  member  of  Washington  Lodge  No.  5,  had  been  brought 
before  the  Lodge  on  charges  of  unmasonic  conduct..  While  the  trial 
was  pending,  on  the  motion  of  one  of  the  members,  a  demit  was 
granted  to  the  accused,  and  be  subsequently  became  affiliated  with 
Pythagorean  *Lodge  No.  21.  Complaint  being  made  by  one  of  the 
members  of  Washington  Lodge,  and  the  circumstances  being  thus 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  at  once  declared  the 
election  of  J.  M.  W.  in  Pythagorean  Lodge  to  be  null  and  void, 
restored  him  to  membership  in  Washington  Lodge,  aud  directed  that 


424  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Lodge  forthwith  to  conclude  the  trial  and  to  determine  on  the  charges 
whijh  had  been  preferred  against  him.  Washington  Lodge  unhesi- 
tatingly obeyed  the  mandate,  and  the  accused  was  subsequently  indefi- 
,  nitely  suspended  by  the  Lodge.  Washington  Lodge  was  also  called 
upon  to  show  cause  why  it  should  not  be  censured  for  its  action  in  the 
premises,  but,  on  its  ready  compliance  with  the  instructions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  motion  for  censure  was  withdrawn. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  September,  1855.  The 
Grand  Lodge  determined  to  form  a  Masonic  library,  and  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  dollars  was  appropriated  for  that  purpose.  This  money 
was  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  committee  and  the  nucleus  of  a 
valuable  library  obtained,  but  uo  further  appropriation  was  ever  made, 
and  the  library  has  not  since  been  increased  except  by  the  reception  of 
the  proccedngs  of  our  sister  Grand  Lodges. 

The  yellow  fever  having  invaded  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, in  Virginia,  during  the  summer,  and  prevailing  there  as  an 
epidemic,  the  Grand  Lodge  appropriated  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  for  the 
relief  of  any  suffering  Masons  in  those  places,  and  requested  the  ci  y 
Lodges  to  make  contributions  for  the  same  object. 

Special  Communication  on  the  1st  of  December,  1855.  Warrants 
were  granted  to  VYillianiston  Lodge  No.  -4,  at  Williamston,  and  Friend- 
ship Lodge  No.  25,  at  Kirksey's  Cross  Koads.  Several  eases  of  appeal 
were  considered  at  this  Communication,  but  as  they  involve  no  new  or 
interesting  question  of  Masonic  law,  they  need  not  be  referred  to 
more  particularly. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  December,  1855.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  in  a  case  coming  from  Hiram  Lodge  No.  68,  refused  to 
entertain  an  appeal  made  against  the  decision  of  a  Lodge  by  a  third 
party,  not  immediately  interested  in,  or  affected  by,  the  decision.  The 
aggrieved  party  only,  it  was  said,  could  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
redress.  A  committee,  consisting  of  A.  G.  Mackey,  J.  II.  Honour,  Z. 
B  Oakes,  S.  J.  Hull  and  II.  Buist,  was  appointed  to  prepare  the  ex- 
emplar of  a  code  of  by-laws  to  be  used  by  all  Subordinate  Lodges  in 
framing  their  by-laws.  The  Grand  Lodge  had  hitherto  been  much 
annoyed  by  the  fact  that  new  Lodges,  from  ignorance  of  the  consti- 
tutions of  Masonry,  were  continually  submitting  for  approval,  regulations 
that  were  in  violation  of  the  ancient  landmarks  and  usages  of  the 
Craft.  It  was,  therefore,  supposed,  that  if  a  form  of  by  laws  appro- 
priate for  the  government  of  Lodges  was  to  be  prepared  by  competent 
brethren,  and  given  to  the  Subordinates  as  an  exemplar,  by  which  they 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  425 

might  in  future  frame  their  regulations,  leave  being  given  for  the 
alteration  or  insertion  of  any  clauses  necessary  for  the  local  government 
of  each,  that  a  precaution  woi  Id  be  supplied  against  the  involuntary  com- 
mission of  error  in  the  adoption,  by  Subordinate  Lodges,  of  rules  which 
were  not  conformable  to  the  principles  of  Masonry.  The  remedy  has, 
in  general,  been  found  effectual.  The  code  of  by-laws  was  reported  at 
the  Communication  in  .March,  1856,  and  adopted,  and  nearly  all  of  the 
Lodges  which  have  been  warranted  since  that  date,  or  which  have 
revised  their  by  laws,  have  conformed  to  the  exemplar  recommended  by 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  was  appropriated  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  towards  the  assistance  of  the  Cokesbury  Masonic  College. 

It  was  ordered,  that  a  correspondence  should,  if  agreeable,  be  estab- 
lished with  the  Grand  Orient  of  Peru,  and  Brother  Juan  Grime,  of 
Lima,  was  appointed  the  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina  in  that  body. 

T.'.e  Grand  Lodge  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Grand  Officers,  and 
Alfred  Price  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated.  There 
was  no  public  procession,  but  Brother  A.  E  Miller,  Past  Grand  Master, 
having  installed  the  Grand  Master  elect,  the  latter  installed  the  other 
officers,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  being  closed,  the  brethren  proceeded  to 
the  banqueting  hall  and  celebrated  the  Grand  Feast  with  the  usual 
festivities. 


42(3  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CKAPTEE    XLIX. 

THE     TEAK    1856. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1856 : 

Alfred  Price,  Grand  Master; 

Job  Johnston,  Deputy  Grand  Matter ; 

A.  Campbell,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

G.  Z.  WALDRON,  Junior  Grand   Warden; 

ELIAS  15.  HoRT,   Grand  Chaplain; 

J.  II.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  M  D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

J.  C.  Bkckmann,  )         . 

T   ,„    t,  (  Senior  brand  Deacons ; 

J.  15.  Fraser,         J  ' 

W»I.  Lee,  1    t      •       sy         i  n 

J-  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

C.  Froneberger,  ) 

P.  K.  CoBURN,   Grand  Marshal ; 

A.  Armstrong,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

•  "J"'<>  [•  Grand  Stewards; 

ft.    P..    SCRIVEN,  ) 

Samuel  Seyle,  Grand   Tiler ; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  31st  of  December,  1855,  but  no  busi- 
ness of  historical  interest  was  transacted. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  4th  of  March,  1856.  The  code  of 
by-laws  for  the  government  of  Subordinate  Lodges,  which  had  been 
ordered  to  be  prepared  by  a  committee,  was  submitted  by  Brother 
Mackey,  the  chairman,  and  adopted. 

At  the  previous  Communication  charges  of  an  important  nature  had 
been  preferred  by  Orangeburg  Lodge  No.  28,  against  a  neighboring 
Lodge,  Humility  No.  12,  at  Branchvillc.  These  charges  had  been  as 
usual  referred  to  a  committee,  who  made  a  report  accompanied  with 
resolutions,  the  adoption  of  which  settled  the  following  points  of 
Masonic  law  in  this  jurisdiction  : 

1.  That  the  use  of  anything  other  than  oral  instruction  (except  that 
which  is  monitorial)  in  the  working  of  a  Lodge  is  highly  reprehensible. 


IN  SOUTH    CAROLINA.  40^ 

and  is  strictly  forbidden.     This  resolution  was  more  especially  directed 
against  the  use  of  improper  and  unauthorized  printed  Hooks. 

2.  That  the  fact  of  being  under  charges  *at  the  time  does  not  ex- 
clude a  Mason  from  the  privilege  of  preferring  charges  against  another 

3.  That  charges  cannot  be  preferred  against  the  presiding  officer  to 
the  Lodge,  while  he  occupies  the  chair  and  exercises  the  functions  of 
Master,  although  he  may  not  be  the  actual  Master  of  the  Lodge.  In 
this  case  the  Senior  Warden  occupied  the  chair,  the  Master  being  ab- 
sent, and  refused  to  entertain  a  charge  preferred  against  himself,  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  by  this  decision  sustained  him  in  his  refusal. 

The  Grand  Lodge  abolished  the  regulation  which  prescribe)]  a  stated 
fee  to  the  Tiler,  leaving  bis  compensation  to  be  determined  by  each  par- 
ticular Lodge. 

The  custom  of  applying  to  the  Grand  Master  for  dispensations  to 
confer  degrees  at  less  intervals  than  those  prescribed  by  the  Constitu- 
tion, by  which  Masons  were  often  made  too  rapidly  either  for  their  own 
good  or  that  of  the  Fraternity,  bad  at  length  become  an  evil  of  such 
magnitude  an  to  demand  the  serious  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
The  most  obvious  remedy  would  certainly  have  been  the  positive  refusal 
of  the  Grand  Master  to  grant  any  more  dispensations  in  what  were  in- 
correctly called  "cases  of  emergency."  The  Grand  Lodge,  however, 
adopted  the  doubtful  method  of  imposing  a  prohibitory  tax,  amounting 
to  fifty  dollars,  on  the  granting  of  all  such  dispensations.  I  call  this 
a  doubtful  method,  because  the  dispensing  prerogative  is  an  inherent 
right  vested  in  the  Grand  Master  by  the  landmarks,  and  it  is  at  least 
questionable  whether  the  Grand  Lodge  can  by  the  imposition  of  an  exces- 
sive tax  attempt  to  restrict  the  exercise  of  that  prerogative.  1  have  li  tie 
doubt  that  the  new  regulation  is  au  unconstitutional  one,  and  that  the 
Grand  Master  may  still  grant  dispensations  for  conferring  degrees  with- 
out any  respect  to  the  payment  of  the  said  tax.  The  law  seems  indeed 
to  have  been  a  dead  loiter  since  its  enactment,  for  there  is  not  a  single 
case  recorded  of  the  imposition  or  the  collection  of  the  dispensing  fee. 

Special  Communication  on  the  19th  of  April,  1856.  A  warrant  of 
constitution  was  granted  to  Buford  Lodge  No.  27,  at  Buford's  Bridge, 
in  Barnwell  District. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  June,  1856.  Communica- 
tions were  received  from  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada, 
which  had  lately  been  organized,  and  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  same  territory,  both  of  which  were  referred  to  a  special  com- 
mittee for  consideration. 


428  L'ISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

During  the  last  month  the  Grand  Lodge  had  met  with  a  loss  in  the 
death  of  its  venerable  Grand  Tiler,  Bro.  Samuel  Scyle,  who  was  one  of 
the  oldest.  Masons  in  the  jurisdiction,  and  who  from  the  time  of  his 
initiation,  in  1808,  to  the  day  of  his  death,  had  continued  without  inter- 
ruption an  active  member  of  the  Institution.  The  announcement  of 
his  death  by  the  Grand  Master  was  followed  by  the  adoption  of  appro- 
priate resolutions  of  respect  for  his  memory. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  September,  1856.  Warrants 
were  granted  to  Ridgeway  Lodge  No.  30,  at  Ridgeway,  and  to  Johnson 
Lodge  No.  32,  at  Goshen  Hill. 

In  the  course  of  a  report  on  an  appeal,  the  committee  expressed  the 
opinion,  in  which  the  Grand  Lodge  concurred,  that  it  was  not  unma- 
Bonic  for  one  Mason  to  sue  another  for  money  justly  due,  provided  the 
suit  is  conducted  without  harshness  or  vindictiveness. 

In  another  report  on  an  appeal  from  expulsion  by  Greenwood  Lodge 
No.  91,  the  appeal  was  sustained,  and  the  appellant  restored,  on  the 
grounds  that  the  charges  were  made,  not  by  an  accuser,  but  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Lodge,  that  no  time  nor  place  of  trial  was  appointed,  that 
the  trial  commenced  at  a  special  and  not  at  a  regular  Communication, 
and  that  visitors  were  permitted  to  be  present  at  the  trial.  The  Grand 
Lodge  adopted  the  report,  and  thus  confirmed  these  principles  of  law 
which  had  previously  been  recognized  in  the  regulations  for  Masonic 
trials. 

Special  Communication  on  the  12th  of  November,  1850.  Bro.  A. 
G.  Mackey  was  recognized  as  the  Representative  of  the  Grand  Orient 
of  Venezuela,  and  Bro.  J.  L.  Pardo  appointed  the  Representative  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  to  that  Grand  Orient. 

A  warrant  was  granted  to  Aurora  Lodge  No.  33,  at  Clio,  in  Marl- 
boro' District. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  December,  1856.  Tho 
annual  election  was  held,  and  Alfred  Price  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

The  year  1856  will  ever  be  memorable  in  the  history  of  Masonry  in 
South  Carolina,  as  the  era  in  which  a  great  system  of  reform  in  the 
organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  inaugurated.  In  this  year  the 
principle  of  proxy  representation  was  directly  and  openly  attacked, 
and  a  constitutional  effort  was  made  to  restore  the  true  system  of 
representation  by  Masters  and  Wardens.  The  proxy  system,  that, 
namely,  by  which  Past  Masters,  living  in  the  city  of  Charleston, 
were  made  the  representatives  of  two  and  sometimes  of  more  Lodges, 
situated  in  the  country,  of  which  they  were  not  necessarily  members, 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  42tf 

had  long  been  viewed  with  disapprobation  by  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  Fraternity.  The  objections  to  the  sy>tcm  were  manifold,  but  princi- 
pally, that  the  appointments  of  proxies  were  n  it  annually  renewed,  in 
consequence  of  which  non-rcmwal,  it  was  possible  that  one  person 
might  for  years  hold  a  position  for  which  he  was  evidently  unfitted,  or 
from  which  he  could  only  be  removed  by  a  vote  of  the  Lodge,  which, 
as  implying  censure,  it  was  difficult  to  obtain  and  indelicate  to  propose. 
In  ltf^O,  an  attempt  had  been  made  to  remove  this  objectionable 
feature,  but  without  success,  for  the  friends  of  the  proxy  system  seem 
always  to  have  been  wedded  to  its  imperfections  as  well  as  to  its  ad- 
vantages, if  it  had  any.  Again,  the  proxy  appointed  by  a  Lodge  in 
the  country,  was,  necessarily,  a  resident  in  Charleston,  and  was  thus,  in 
almost  every  instance,  ignorant  o(  the  wants  and  feelings  of  the  Lodge 
which  he  represented.  Thirdly,  as  one  person  could  hold  several 
proxies,  at  no  time  less  than  two,  for  each  of  which  he  was  entitled  to 
one  vote,  besides  his  own  as  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  pre- 
ponderance of  power  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  holders  of  proxies, 
who  thus  were  enabled  to  carry  any  point  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  their 
additional  votes,  over  the  wishes  of  an  actually  greater  number  of  per- 
sons who  might  not  be  so  fortunate  as  to  be  in  possession  of  pivxies. 
Fourthly,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  made  no  provision  for  the  payment  of 
the  actual  representatives  of  country  Lodges  in  their  attendance  on  the 
Communications  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  as  besides  the  four 
Quarterly  Communications,  many  special  ones  were  convened  in  each 
year,  at  any  one  of  which  it  was  held  that  the  Grand  Lod<:e  could 
transact  any  busin  ss,  except  acting  on  amendments  to  t!:e  ( 'onstitution, 
(which  exception  was,  however,  only  of  recent  date,)  it  is  evident  that 
the  country  Lodges  Were  const  mined  to  depend  on  their  proxies  for  any 
representation  that  they  might  have,  and  as  these  proxies  could  at  any 
lime  resign,  when  the  instructions  given  to  them  were  ai.tagouistic  to 
(heir  own  views,  and  thus  leave  the  Lodges  which  they  were  said  to 
represent  actually  without  representation,*  it  is  equally  evident  that 
the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lid-,'  were  really  neither  more  nor 
thin  meetings  of  the  Masters,  Wardens  and  Past  Masters  of  tLe 
city  liodges,  with  an  uuequal  distribution  of  votes. 


*  A  circumstance of  ilii-  kind  actually  took  place  in  1n.'>s.  when  the  proxy  of 
a  Lodgr,  situated  ISA  milis  from  Charleston,  resigned  bis.  proxyship  on  the  day 
of  tlu'  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  rather  than  obey   instruction*  and 

lor  tin1  proposed  amendments.  And  the  Lodge,  on  that  occasion,  lust  its 
vote. 


.i30  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

These  objectionable  features,  derived  from  the  innovation  introduced 
into  the  schismatic  Grand  Lodge  of  Kngland  in  the  last  century  by 
Laurence  Dermott,  and  perpetuated  in  the  Ancient  York  Lodges  of 
this  country,  in  one  or  which  Dr.  Dalcho,  the  compiler  of  the  .South 
Carolina  Hook  of  Constitutions,  had  been  initiated,  had  long  been  seen 
by  many  of  the  Craft,  and  efforts  had,  from  time  to  lime,  been  unsuc- 
cessfully made  towards  a  reformation. 

As  far  back  as  the  year  1822,  Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19,  at  Laurens- 
ville,  had  sent  a  protest  to  the  Grand  Lodge  against  the  general  char- 
acter of  the  Constitution,  which  had  then  lately  been  adopted,  and 
which  it  characterized  as  "wanting  in  that  just  proportion  of  parts 
which  is  essential  to  the  beauty  and  strength  of  every  structure  raised 
upon  the  principles  which  we  profess,"  and  whose  provisions  it  declared 
tj  be  "burthensome  and  oppressive."  Especially  did  this  Lodge,  which 
was  the  pioneer  in  reformatiun,  object  to  the  system  of  proxies,  and 
declare  that  "from  several  years'  experience  they  had  found  it  worse 
than  useless  to  appoint  a  proxy  in  Charleston." 

But  the  Lodge  soon  discovered  that  the  attempt  to  move  their  supe- 
riors by  a  protest  was  as  useless  as  they  had  found  the  appointment  of 
a  proxy,  for  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  whom  the  commu- 
nication of  Palmetto  Lodge  had  been  referred,  without  any  attempt  to 
con. bat  the  arguments  or  reply  to  the  objections  of  the  document,  con- 
cluded their  report  with  what  must  have  se(  med  to  them  a  very  satisfac- 
tory if  not  a  very  courteous  solution  of  the  problem,  by  declaring  that 
"the  Grand  Lodge  knows  how  to  preserve  its  own  diguity  and  to 
manage  its  own  concerns." 

The  brusqueness  of  tj»is  decision  seems  for  a  time  to  have  paralyzed 
the  active  spirit  of  reformation,  and  the  proxy  system  for  a  long  time 
prevailed  without  further  opposition.  Two  other  causes,  however,  con- 
tributed to  this  result.  In  the  first  place,  about  the  year  1828  Masonry 
began  seriously  to  decline  in  South  Carolina  as  in  every  other  part 
of  the  Republic,  and  the  country  Lodges  falling,  with  a  very  few  ex- 
ceptions, into  decay,  the  proxy  system  became  almost  nominal  in  its 
operation.  It  remained,  it  is  true,  upon  the  statute  book,  but  there 
was  no  necessity  nor  opportunity  for  its  exercise.  Again  in  1841  the 
Grand  Lodge,  by  the  erection  of  a  Hall,  became  encumbered  with  a 
heavy  debt,  and  it  was  well  known  that  any  attempt  to  introduce  a  sys- 
tem of  representation  from  the  country  would  be  altogether  impracti- 
cable in  the  only  way  which  could  make  that  system  effectual,  namely, 
by  the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  the  representatives.     An  attempt 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA  43 1 

to  introduce  an  amendment  into  the  Constitution,  'he  tendency  o"  which 
Would  have  been  to  divert  any  portion  of  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
from  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  which  it  had  incurred,  would  not  hate 
met  with  the  least  prospect  of  success.  l>ut  until  the  paid  representa- 
tive system  could  be  adopted,  the  very  friends  of  the  reformation  found 
it  better  to  retain  the  proxy  system,  bad  as  it  was,  than  by  its  abolition 
to  destroy  all  chance  of  any  representation  of  the  countiy  Lodges  at 
all.  Even  then,  however,  attempts  were  made,  some  wisely  and  some 
rather  unwisely,  to  improve  the  system,  and  it  has  already  been  seen 
that  Bro.  II.  W.  Schroder,  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  consistent  op- 
ponents of  the  system,  had,  in  1854,  proposed  as  an  amendment  to  the 
Constitution  that  no  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  entitled  to 
hold  more  than  one  prosy.  Tins  amendment  was  never  acted  on,  and, 
indeed,  although  based  u|  on  the  principles  of  equity,  its  adoption  would 
have  disfranchised  many  of  tlic  country  Lodges,  of  which  the  number 
was  at  that  time  greater  than  the  number  of  Past  Masters  in  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  Grand  Secretary,  Bro.  A.  G.  Mackoy,  (and  I  am  obliged  to  make 
this  personal  reference  for  the  sake  of  preserving  all  the  links  in  this 
narrative,)  had  long  been  convinced  that  the  system  of  representation, 
or  as  it  might  more  properly  be  called  of  misrepresentation,  by  proxies, 
was  in  direct  opposition  to  the  principles  and  the  most  ancient  usages 
and  landmarks  of  the  Order,  and  that  in  its  operation  it  was  unjust  to 
all  the  country  Lodges.  These  views  he  had  repeatedly  expressed,  but 
had,  at  the  same  time,  indicated  his  willingness  to  refrain  from  any 
attack  upon  it  until  the  improved  pecuniary  condition  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  should  render  it  practicable  to  substitute  for  it  the  system  ol 
paid  representatives. 

Seeing,  however,  in  the  present  year,  1850,  that  the  debt  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  in  a  fair  way  towards  liquidation,  that  its  revenues 
were  largely  augmented,  and  that  the  country  Lodges  were  crcatly 
increased  in  numbers,  he  at  length,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year, 
made  known  to  such  of  the  country  Lodges  as  he  officially  visited,  his 
intention  to  propose,  at  the  Communication  in  December,  such  amend- 
ments to  the  Constitution  as  would  p  oduce  the  necessary  change.  In 
making  his  annual  report,  at  that  Communication,  he  announced  his 
intention  in  these  words: 

\11  that  ia  now  Ranting  t<>  give  our  jurisdiction  an  elevated  place 
among  the  Masonic  bodies  of  the  Union  is  a  reform  in  the  organization 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  whose  present  Constitution,  however  it  may  have 


432  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

been  excused,  when  the  Masonry  of  the  State  was  principally  concen- 
trated in  the  city  of  Charleston,  is  totally  unfitting  to  the  government 
of  a  jurisdiction  whose  large  majority  of  constituents  reside  in  the 
country.  The  system  of  proxies,  by  which  the  promise  of  a  represen- 
tation of  the  country  Lodges  is  made  to  the  car  and  broken  to  the 
sense,  should  be,  I  think,  at  once  abolished,  the  mileage  and  per  diem 
allowance  of  at  least  one  representative  from  every  Lodge  should  be 
paid.  An  Annual  Communication  should  be  holden,  at  which  one 
might  look  around  and  behold,  not  merely  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
the  city  Lodges,  as  is  now  the  case,  but  the  officers  or  del  gates  of  the 
country  Lodges,  sitting  in  fraternal  conclave  with  their  city  brethren, 
to  legislate  for  the  whole  State.  When  these  necessary  reforms  arc 
made,  so  as  to  assimilate  our  Grand  Lodge  to  the  condition  of  that  of 
every  other  State  in  the  Union,  when  I  shall  sit  in  this  Hall  and  see 
myself  surrounded,  not  by  proxies,  who,  of  course,  can  know  but  little 
of  the  condition  and  wants  of  the  Lodges  which  they  represent,  but 
by  the  Masters  and  Wardens  or  at  least  the  real  representatives  of 
these  fifty-four  couutry  Lodges  as  well  as  of  the  ten  city  ones,  then, 
indeed,  will  I  feel  that  the  task  to  which,  for  the  best  pirt  of  my  life, 
I  have  devoted  myself,  has  been  accomplished ;  and,  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  that  sacred  duty  do  I  henceforth  consecrate  the  remaining 
years  of  my  life  and  the  little  talent  and  influence  with  which  I  may 
be  blessed,  and  to  my  assistance  I  invoke  the  fraternal  aid  of  all  who 
hear,  and  of  all  our  country  brethren  who  .shall  hereafter  read  this  report. 
As  a  commencement  of  the  labor  I  shall,  this  evening,  have  the  honor 
to  present  a  series  of  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  which  I  sincerely 
trust  will  be  but  the  beginning  of  a  consummation  most  devoutly  to  be 
wished  for  by  all  who  value  the  true  prosperity  and  usefulness  of  our 
jurisdiction." 

Accordingly,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  he  introduced  a  scries  of 
amendments  to  the  Constituion,  the  entire  object  of  which  was  to 
aoolish  the  whole  system  of  proxy  representation,  aud  to  substitute  for 
it  a  representation  by  the  Master  and  Wardens  or  one  of  them,  the 
expenses  of  one  representative  to  be  paid  in  coming  to,  continuing  at 
ar.d  going  from  the  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  deemed  impolitic  to 
attempt  the  cure  of  every  evil  at  once,  and,  therefore,  the  Quarterly 
Communications  were  retained,  but  no  business  of  any  importance  or 
ge  :eral  interest  to  the  Craft  was  to  be  permitted  to  be  transacted  at 
them. 

These  amendments  were  under  the  constitutional  provision  read  for 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  433 

the  first  time,  and  final  action  on  them  was  postponed  to  the  March 
Communication  in  1857.  Other  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  the 
effect  of  which  would  be,  in  some  degree,  to  embarrass  the  aciion  on 
these,  were  proposed  by  opponents  to  the  measure,  but  as  they  were 
never  acted  on  it  is  unnecessary  to  refer  to  them  except  in  this  general 
way.  All  the  amendments  were  then  ordered  to  be  printed  and  sent  to 
the  Subordinate  Lodges  for  their  consideration.  The  first  battle  was  to 
take  place  in  the  following  year,  and  to  that  period  I  postpone  the 
further  narrative. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  duly  celebrated  by  an 
installation  of  the  officers.  The  Grand  Master  elect  having  been  first 
installed  by  Brother  A.  E.  Miller,  Past  Grand  Master,  then  installed 
the  other  officers,  and  the  Grand  Lod^e  being  closed,  the  brethren 
repaired  to  the  banqueting  room  and  concluded  the  day  with  the  fes- 
tivities of  the  Grand  Feast. 


28 


434  ftlSTOK?  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER   L. 

THE   YEAR    1857. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1857 : 

Alfred  Price,  Grand  Master ; 

A.  Campbell,  Deputy.  Grand  Master; 

HENRY  Buist,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

A.  RAMSAY,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

ELIAS  B.  Hort,  Grand  Chaplain; 

John  H.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer ; 

Albert  CI.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

J.  C.  BECKMANN,  )      u      ■       sy  7   r. 

'  >    senior  Grand  Deacons; 
J.  B.  Fraser,       ) 

\  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
C.  Froneberger,  ) 

P.  K.  CoBURN,  Grand  Marshal; 

A.  Armstrong,  Grand  Pursuivant ; 

H.  W.  Schroder,  ) 

T    r.    -r,  c  Grand  Stewards; 

J.   C.   ItUNKEN,  )  ' 

Peter  McIntire,  Grand  Tiler; 
Albert  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

Special  Communication  on  the  29th  of  January,  1857,  for  the  elec- 
tion of  members,  but  no  other  business  was  transacted,  except  the 
reading  of  a  paper  by  the  Grand  Master,  which  will  be  hereafter  re- 
ferred to. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  3d  of  March,  1857.  The  real 
business  of  the  year  may  be  said  to  have  commenced  with  this  Com- 
munication. Never  before,  since  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
had  such  a  concourse  of  brethren  assembled  within  the  walls  of  the 
Lodge  room.  The  well  known  fact  that,  according  to  the  legitimate 
order  of  business,  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  which  had  been 
proposed  by  Bro.  Mackey,  would  come  up  for  final  action  and  adoption 
or  rejection,  had  secured  a  large  representation  from  the  country 
Lodges.  Fifty-one  Lodges  were  represented,  not  by  proxies,  but  by 
their  own  delegates.     Not  a  single  proxy  vote  was  to  be  cast.     The 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  435 

fir-t  practical  blow  to  the  proxy  system  was  thus  cffcctunlly  tiivcn,  al- 
though the  advocates  of  the  reform  encountered  a  temporary  failure  in 
pressing  their  measures  to  a  consummation. 

The  address  of  the  Grand  Master,  which  had  been  delivered  at  the 
Special  Communication  on  the  29th  of  January,  consisted  of  a  series 
of  complaints  against  the  Grand  Secretary  for  official  misconduct. 
This  address  had  been  referred  to  a  committee  of  seven,  for  examina- 
tion of  the  charges.  As  the  Grand  Secretary  might  in  some  sense  be 
considered  as  the  leader  of  the  thorough  reform  which  was  now  in  pro- 
gress, and  as  the  Grand  Master  was  warmly  opposed  to  it  and  in  favor 
of  a  continuance  of  the  old  system,  the  Fraternity  generally  were  nat- 
urally inclined  to  consider  the  address  and  the  action  on  it  simply  as 
an  episode  in  the  main  history  of  reform.  The  committee  fully  acquit- 
ted the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  charges,  and  the  report  was  adopted  by 
an  almost  unanimous  vote,  the  single  negative  vote  being  based,  as  the 
giver  of  it  stated,  on  a  technical  objection. 

The  party  opposed  to  the  reform,  however,  made  use  of  all  the  par- 
liamentary means  in  their  power  to  postpone  a  vote  on  the  amend- 
ments, which  it  was  soon  seen  would,  if  the  question  were  put,  be 
triumphantly  adopted  Motions  were,  therefore,  repeatedly  made,  the 
tedious  process  of  a  vote  by  Lodges  was  called  for  on  each,  and  speeches 
and  discussions  spun  out  against  time,  until  the  hour  of  12  at  night 
having  arrived,  the  Grand  Master  decided  that  the  Quarterly  Commu- 
nication was  at  an  end,  and  that  although  he  would  call  a  Special  Com- 
munication of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  following  evening  for  the 
transaction  of  its  ordinary  business,  yet  he  should  refuse,  on  that 
occasion,  to  entertaiu  the  amendments,  because,  by  the  Constitution, 
they  could  only  be  acted  on  at  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  March. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed. 

A  Spciial  Communication  was  convened  on  the  following  evening, 
4th  of  March,  1*57.  As  a  standing  regulation  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
adopted  on  the  I  lth  of  December,  1853,  was  in  these  words:  "The 
Grand  Lodge  shall  not  be  closed  until  the  business  before  it  shall  have 
been  disposed  of;  and  if  it  be  found  iui practicable  to  complete  the 
business  in  one  evening,  the  Qrand  Lodge  shall  be  called  off  from  labor 
until  .1  subsequent  evening,  which  course  shall  be  adopt*  d  until  the 
whole  amount  ot  business,  shall  have  been  disposed  ofj"  it  is  manifest 
that  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Master,  made  on  the  previoti*  evening, 
the  Quarterly  Commuuicatiou  tcruiiusted  at  12  o'clock  ou  tuut 


J36  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

night,  and  that  he  could  Dot  continue  it  by  calling  off  until  the  next 
clay,  was  in  direct  violation  of  this  standing  regulation. 

As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  at  this  Special 
Communication,  a  solemn  protest  was  presented  by  nineteen  delegates 
against  this  ruling,  which  being,  by  permission  of  the  Grand  Master, 
read,  was  ordered  to  be  inserted  in  the  minutes,  and  thus  the  first  con- 
test for  a  reform  terminated,  unsuccessfully  but  not  ingloriously.  The 
seed  had  been  sown  and  the  plant  must  grow. 

The  Grand  Lodge  then  proceeded  to  the  transaction  of  its  ordinary 
business. 

Washington  Lodge  No.  71  petitioned  for  permission  to  remove  from 
Millway  to  Indian  Hill,  in  Abbeville  District,  and  the  Grand  Master 
was  authorized  to  grant  the  permission,  on  the  said  Lodge  producing 
the  necessary  recommendation  from  the  Lodge  nearest  to  Indian  Hill. 

Notwithstanding  the  failure  of  the  first  effort  of  the  reformers,  they 
were  not  dispirited.  A  meeting  was  held  by  them  in  Charleston  on  the 
day  after  the  Quarterly  Communication,  when  it  was  determined  to 
issue  a  circular  to  the  Craft  throughout  the  State,  and  to  invite  an  un- 
official convention,  to  be  held  at  the  city  of  Columbia  on  the  3d  day  of 
May.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  carry  this  arrangement  into 
effect,  of  which  Bro.  Henry  W.  Schroder,  the  unflinching  advocate  for 
the  principles  of  the  reformed  Constitution,  was  very  justly  made  the 
chairman.  This  committee  issued  a  circular,  in  which,  after  depicting 
the  grave  errors  of  the  present  system  of  Grand  Lodge  legislation,  and 
the  injustice  which  had  been  inflicted  by  the  ruling  of  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter at  the  late  Quarterly  Communication,  they  invited  the  Lodges 
throughout  the  State  to  send  delegates  to  a  mass  convention  of  the 
Craft,  to  be  holden  at  Columbia  on  the  3d  of  May,  "  peacefully  and 
fraternally  to  consult  for  the  common  good  of  the  Order." 

Notwithstanding  that  the  Grand  Master  issued  his  proclamation  for- 
bidding the  assembly,  and  denouncing  it  as  illegal  and  contrary  to  the 
regulations  of  the  Ahimau  Rezon,  on  the  appointed  day  the  delegates 
of  thirty-one  Lodges  met  at  the  Congaree  House,  in  Columbia,  when 
after  calling  Bro.  Henry  Buist,  the  Senior  Grand  Warden,  to  the  chair, 
and  appointing  Bro.  Henry  W.  Schroder  Secretary,  a  series  of  amendments 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  Constitution  was  agreed  upon,  and  Bro.  Mackey 
was  requested  to  present  them  at  the  next  Quarterly  Communication  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  These  amendments  were  substantially  the  same  as 
those  which  had  been  presented  by  Bro.  Mackey,  and  which  had  been 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  437 

defeated  at  the  last  Quarterly  Communication.  The  principle  of  an- 
tagonism to  the  proxy  system  existed  in  both. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  June,  1857.  The  warrant 
of  La  Candeur  Lodge  No.  30  was  revived,  on  the  condition  that  the 
said  Lodge,  which  had  formerly  worked  in  the  French  language  and 
French  rite,  should  hereafter  work  in  English  and  in  the  York  rite. 

The  conte-t  for  reform  was  renewed.  As  another  episode  in  its  his- 
tory it  must  be  recorded  that  the  Grand  Master  having  called  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  circular  that  had  been  issued,  couvoking 
the  meeting  in  Columbia,  charges  were  preferred,  by  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Lodge,  against  all  the  brethren  who  had  signed  that 
circular,  in  consequence  of  the  language  used  by  them  in  it.*  As  this 
subject  is  of  but  little  interest,  except  as  developing  a  hostile  feeling 
then  unfortunately  existing,  it  may  be  as  well  to  dismiss  it  by  stating 
that  the  charges  were  referred  to  a  committee,  who,  at  the  Communica- 
tion in  December,  reported  that  the  whole  matter  was  not  worthy  of 
the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  this  report  was  adopted.  By 
this  actiou,  however,  it  was  settled  that  Masons  have  a  right  to  meet  in 
private  convention,  and  to  petition  for  a  redress  of  grievances,  or  to 
consult  on  the  nature  of  the  remedy  to  be  devised  for  their  relief. 

It  had  now  become  evident,  to  the  most  unwilling  minds,  that  the 
spirit  of  reform  was  abroad,  and  that  nothing  less  would  satisfy  it  than 
a  revision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  Constitution.  Brother  T.  S.  Gourdin, 
therefore,  at  this  Communication,  offered  a  resolution  which  was  adopted, 
for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  revise  the  Constitution  and  to 
report,  at  their  earliest  convenience,  such  amendments  and  additions 
thereto  as  they  might  deem  expedient.  But,  as  the  mover  of  this 
resolution  had  been  known  to  be  most  active  in  his  opposition  to  the 
previous  efforts  at  a  revision,  and  as  the  committee  which  was  appointed 
under  the  resolution  did  not  contain  the  name  of  a  single  brother  who 
ha  1  been  pledged  to  reform,  the  frieuds  of  that  measure  looked  upon 
this  proposition  rather  as  a  "sop  to  Cerberus"  than  as  a  genuine 
promise  to  carry  out  their  measures.  Each  one  of  the  reformers  was 
ready  to  exclaim  "Timco  Danaos  et  dona  //rentes." 

Accordingly,  in  obedience  to  the  resolution  of  the  convention  held 
at  Columbia,  Brother   Mackey  presented  the  amendments  which  had 


*  The  Grand  Secretary  was  strangely  included  in  the  same  charge,  by  another 
member,  although  he  was  neither  a  member  of  the  committee  who  had  issued  the 
circular  nor  had  signed  the  document. 


438  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

been  agreed  upon  at  that  mee'ing.  These  amendments  contemplated 
a  radical  change  in  the  legislation  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  system 
of  proxies  was  to  be  wholly  and  completely  abolished.  There  was  to 
be  an  Annual  Communication,  at  which  each  Lodge  was  to  be  repre- 
sented by  the  Master  and  Wardens,  or  any  one  or  two  of  them,  or  by 
a  delegate  appointed  by  the  Lodge  or  the  Master,  who  must  be  either  a 
Past  Master  or  Past  Warden,  and  a  member  of  the  Lodge.  The  rep- 
resentative or  delegate  was  to  be  paid  his  traveling  expenses  in  coming 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  in  returning  home,  at  the  rate  of  ten  cents 
per  mile  for  all  travel  on  stages,  and  five  cents  per  mile  for  all  travel 
on  railroads,  and  two  dollars  per  day  for  each  day's  attendance  on  the 
Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Each  Lodge  was  to  be  entitled 
to  three  votes,  no  matter  what  was  the  number  of  its  representatives 
present.  The  Quarterly  Communications  were  still  to  be  retained,  for 
the  friends  of  reform,  diffident  of  their  own  power,  were  unwilling  to 
ask  too  much,  but  these  Communications  were  to  be  shorn  of  all  power, 
and  no  business  relating  to  the  general  condition  and  interest  of  the 
Craft  was  to  be  considered,  except  at  the  Annual  Communication, 
which  was  proposed  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November. 

The  amendments  as  thus  read  were  of  course,  under  the  provisions  of 
the  old  Constitution,  to  lie  upon  the  table  until  the  Quarterly  Commu- 
nication in  March,  1858.  After  they  had  been  proposed,  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  closed. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1st  of  September,  1857.  Warrants 
were  granted  for  three  new  Lodges:  Centre  No  37,  at  ITonea  Path; 
St.  John's  No.  41,  at  Bluffton;  and  Charity  No.  62,  at  St.  Matthew's 
Parish.  A  rather  singular  history  is  connected  with  this  last  named 
L  idge.  The  dispensation  for  opening  Charity  Lodjre  had  been  issii"d 
by  the  Grand  Mister  in  the  year  1812.  On  the  7th  of  June  in  the 
same  year,  application  was  made  for  a  warrant  of  e:  nstitution,  which 
the  Grand  Lodge  declined,  for  some  reason  which  i.s  not  recorded,  to 
grant  at  that  time.  The  Lodge,  therefore,  continued  to  work  under  its 
dispensation,  which  had  not  been  revoked  either  by  the  Grand  Master 
or  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Lodge  is  situated  in  a  very  remote  locality, 
and,  owing  to  the  proxy  system,  had  never  been  represented  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  by  any  of  its  Masters  or  Wardens.  The  fact,  therefore, 
that  it  was  without  a  warrant,  and  had  so  remained  for  fifteen  years, 
was  wholly  unknown  to  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  It  had  from 
time  to  time  appointed  a  proxy,  who  had  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  its 
vote  iu  the  Graud  Lodge,  but  of  course  he  was  totally  ignorant  of  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  \&Q 

history  or  condition  of  the  Lodge  which  ho  represented.  One  of  the 
effects  of  the  effort  at  reform,  was  to  bring  the  Master  of  Charity  Lodge 
to  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  the  fact  was  made  known  by 
him  to  the  Grand  Secretary  that  his  Lodge  was  without  a  charter. 
After  due  enquiry  upon  the  subject  the  facts  were  found  to  be  correct, 
when  the  long  standing  error  was  corrected,  and  a  warrant  was  issued. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  1st  of  December,  1857.  As  this 
was  the  constitutional  night  of  election,  and  as  the  contest  for  officers 
was  a  part  of  the  great  battle  of  reform  in  which  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
now  engaged,  there  was  again  a  full  representation  of  nearly  all  the 
Lodges,  the  country  Lodges  having  sent  down  their  representatives  at 
the  expense  of  the  Lodges,  and  a  great  number  of  Past  Masters,  who 
had  during  the  year  been  elected  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  having 
come  at  their  own  expense.  There  was  a  strong  contest  for  Grand 
Officers,  but  the  reformers  succeeded  in  carrying  their  whole  ticket  by 
large  majorities,  and  Brother  Henry  Buist  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

The  committee  which  had  been  appoiuted,  under  the  resolution  of 
Brother  T.  S.  Gourdin,  to  revise  the  Constitution,  offered  a  report.  It 
was  well  known  that  this  committee  had  never  met,  but  that  all  its 
business  had  been  transacted  without  any  formal  meeting  in  committee, 
and  that  the  members  had  acted  "by  separate  consultation  and 
consent,"  which  was  in  direct  violation  of  parliamentary  law,  which 
prescribes  that  "nothing  is  the  report  of  the  committee  but  what  has 
been  agreed  to  in  committee  actually  assembled."  When,  therefore, 
the  document  purporting  to  be  a  report  was  presented,  the  Graud  Secre- 
tary objected  to  the  reading,  on  the  ground  that  a  quorum  of  the 
committee  had  never  met,  and  could  not,  therefore,  make  a  report;  aud 
wlnther  it  was  to  be  considered  as  a  private  document  or  a  report,  it 
could  uot  be  read  without  permission  first  received  from  the  Graud 
Lodge.  But  the  Grand  Master  strangely  overruled  both  points  of  order, 
and  the  report  was  read. 

Perhaps  no  series  of  amendments  was  ever  offered  to  the  constitution 
of  a  society  which  contained  so  little  of  the  spirit  of  amendment  in 
them.  If  they  had  been  adopted,  the  legislation  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
would  have  been  in  a  worse  condition  thau  ever.  The  worn  out  expe- 
riment, often  tried  in  times  past,  but  always  failing,  and  always  soon 
repudiated,  of  District  Grand  Inspectors,  was  recommended,  and,  as  a 
concomitant,  the  dispensing  power  of  the  Grand  Master  was  to  be 
invaded,  and  an  ancient  landmark  abolished.  It  is  true  that  the 
expenses  of  one  delegate  to  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  November 


440  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

were  to  be  paid,  but  the  three  other  Quarterly  Communications  were 
retained,  for  attendance  on  which  no  representative  was  to  bo  piid,  and 
at  which  meetings  the  members  in  the  city  might  reverse  all  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Communication  in  November,  except  amendments 
to  the  Constitution.  Tlio  old  proxy  system  was  to  be  retained  in  al  its 
effeteness,  and  scarcely  a  step  was  made  towards  introducing  an  equality 
between  the  city  and  country  Lodges. 

It  is  not  therefore  surprising  that  these  amendments  had  no  sooner 
been  read  than  they  were  indefinitely  postponed. 

They  were  immediately  however  offered  as  amendments  of  his  own 
by  a  member,  and  read  as  such,  notwithstanding  the  point  of  order 
raised,  that  as  they  were  the  identical  amendments  which  had  just 
been  indefinitely  postponed,  they  could  not  again  come  up  in  that  form 
during  the  same  Communication.  The  Grand  Master,  however,  ruled 
against  the  point  of  order. 

A  resolution  was  adopted,  on  the  motion  of  Bro.  Jones  of  Pendleton, 
that  hereafter  the  Grand  Lodge  would  appropriate  no  part  of  its  funds 
for  purposes  of  refreshment,  and  that  if  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  Com- 
munication on  St.  John's  day,  or  at  any  other  time,  see  fit  to  have 
refreshments,  the  expenses  of  the  same  should  be  paid  by  individual 
subscriptions. 

As  the  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution  were  to  come  up 
for  final  action  at  the  Communication  in  the  following  March,  to  secure 
a  victory  it  was  necessary  to  provide  the  means  for  a  full  attendance  of 
the  representatives  of  the  country  Lodges.  On  the  motion  of  the 
Grand  Secretary  it  was  therefore  resolved  that  the  Grand  Lodge  would 
pay  the  expenses  of  one  delegate  from  each  Lodge  at  that  Communi- 
cation. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  celebrated  with  less 
than  the  usual  demonstrations.  There  was  neither  public  procession, 
address  nor  banquet,  but  the  Grand  Master  elect,  Bro.  Henry  Buist, 
having  been  installed  by  the  late  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Alfred  Price,  then 
installed  the  other  officers.  Such  as  were  absent  were  subsequently 
installed  by  dispensation  in  their  respective  Lodges. 


IN  SOUTII  CAROLINA.  441 


CHAPTER    LI. 

THE   TEAK    1858. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1808: 

ITf.nry  Buist,  Grand  Master; 

B.  11.  Campbell.  Deputy  G mud  Master; 
A.  HAMSAY.  S'nior  Grand  Warden; 

H.   W.  Schroder,  Junior  Grand-Warden; 
Bknj.  Johnson,  Grand  tha/dain; 
John  [I.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary; 

J.  E.  Bomar,  )         .      '* 

,.      »,  1    Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

C.  Froneberoer,  )  ' 

J.  C.  McKewn,  M.D.,) 

i>    r>   o        „., .  (Junior  Grand  Deacons; 

1  .   r  .  oTEv  ENb,  ) 

P.  K.  CoBURN,   Grand  Marshal; 

D.  Ramsay,  Grand  Pursuivant; 
J.  C.  Ren  kin,     ) 

CHARLES    LoyE J  Grand  Stewards; 

Samuel  Burke,  Grand  Tder; 

Albert  G.  Mackey,  M.D. ,   Grand  Lecturer. 

Quarterly  Communication  on  the  2d  of  March,  1858.  This  was  an 
importaut  meeting.  The  fate  of  the  reform  movement  was  now  to  be 
decided,  and  in  consequence  of  the  precaution  of  providing  that  the 
expenses  of  the  delegates  should  be  paid,  a  full  attendance  was  secured, 
and  fifty-seven  Lodges  were  represented,  either  by  one  or  more  of  their 
officers  or  by  members  who  had  been  chosen  as  delegates.  Besides 
these  nearly  all  the  Past  Masters  from  the  city  and  a  large  number 
from  the  country  were  present. 

Before  entering  upon  the  great  business  of  the  meeting,  the  pre- 
liminary matter  before  the  Graud  Lodge  was  disposed  of.  There  was 
no  danger  that  the  consideration  of  the  amendments  would  be  crowded 
out,  for  the  Grand  Master  had  determined  that  the  sessions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  should  be  continued  from  night  to  night,  until  after  full 
and  fair  discussion  the  propositions  should  be  adopted  or  rejected. 


±±•2  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Through  the  enterprise  and  patriotism  of  a  Carolina  lady,  an  effort 
was  now  in  progress  to  purchase  Mount  Vernon,  the  home  of  Wash- 
ington, by  the  contributions  of  the  people  of  America,  and  to  make  it 
a  national  domain.  The  lady  regent  of  this  undertaking,  who  was  the 
daughter  and  sister  of  a  Mason,  had  invoked  the  assistance  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity,  and  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina  were  now  about 
to  respond  nobly  to  the  call.  The  Grand  Lodge,  on  this  occasion, 
resolved  to  take  aO  active  part  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  noble 
olject,  and  having  itself  made  an  appropriation  of  one  hundred  dollars, 
earnestly  urged  the  Subordinate  Lodges  to  cooperate  in  the  praise- 
worthy design  by  the  contribution  of  one  dollar  from  each  of  their 
members.  The  re-ult  of  this  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  a  contri- 
bution of  §1,359  by  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  being  a  larger 
amount  than  was  contributed  in  any  other  jurisdiction. 

This  matter  having  been  disposed  of,  the  amendments  proposed  by 
Bro.  Mackey  were  taken  up.  An  attempt  was  made  to  postpone  their 
consideration  until  those  proposed  by  Bro.  Armstrong  had  been  acted  on. 
These,  it  will  be  remembered,  were  identical  with  those  which  had  been 
indefinitely  postponed  at  the  Communication  in  December.  This  at- 
tempt, however,  failed,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  insisted  on  the  consider- 
ation of  the  amendment?  introduced  by  Bro.  Mackey. 

The  first  amendment,  which  provided  for  an  Annual  Communication 
in  November,  at  which  the  Grand  Officers  were  to  be  elected,  and  the 
general  business  of  the  jurisdiction  transacted,  was  fully  discussed,  and 
the  question  being  put,  it  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  eighty-seven  ayes 
against  twenty  two  noes. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  called  off  until  the  next  evening,  3d  of 
March,  when  the  consideration  of  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
was  resumed. 

The  result  of  the  vote  on  the  first  amendment  on  the  previous  evening, 
which  was  really  a  test  question,  appears  to  have  put  an  end  to  all 
further  opposition,  and  the  remaining  amendments  were  adopted  almost 
without,  a  dissenting  voice.  The  success  of  the  reform  was  complete, 
and  the  frie;;ds  of  the  new  system,  finding  their  strength  to  be  greater 
than  they  anticipated,  resolved  to  vote  against  their  own  amendment 
providing  for  Quarterly  Communications,  which  provision  of  the  old 
Constitution  they  were,  at  the  meeting  in  Columbia,  unwilling  to  attack, 
lest  by  asking  for  too  much  they  might  risk  all.  That  amendment, 
therefore,  which  prescribed  that  Quarterly  Communications  should  be 
held  was  lost,  and  as  the  whole  series  of  the  amendments  was  intended 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  443 

as  a  substitute  for  the  sixteenth  ru'e  of  the  old  Constitution,  wh:ch 
wr.s  to  be  expunged,  and  in  which  alone  any  provision  was  made  for 
these  Quarterly  Communications,  by  the  rejection  of  the  amendment 
which  referred  to  them,  the  Quarterly  Communications  were  abolished. 
And  thus  the  three  greatest  objects  of  the  reformers  were  attained  :  an 
Annual  Communication  was  established,  with  a  paid  representation  from 
all  the  Lodges,  the  Quarterly  Communications  were  discontinued,  and 
the  whole  proxy  system  entirely  abolished. 

As  the  next  step  towards  perfecting  this  system,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  and  report  a  tariff  of  fees  and  dues,  so  as  to  equalize 
the  taxation  which  had  heretofore  been  unequally  distributed  among 
the  city  and  the  country  Lodges,  the  former  paying  a  greater  an. cunt 
of  dues  into  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge  than  the  latter.  This 
duty  was  performed,  and  the  improved  tariff  being  reported  at  the  next 
Communication  was  adopted  without  dissent. 

The  Grand  Treasurer,  Bro.  J.  II.  Honour,  made  his  report  uf  the 
financial  condition  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  which  he  took  occasion  to 
give  an  interesting  history  of  the  difficulties  under  which  the  Grand 
Lodge  had  lab'  red,  and  which  it  had  finally  overcome,  in  the  building 
and  paying  for  its  Hall.  He  announced  that  at  the  present  time,  the 
debt  was  fully  liquidated,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  now  in  possession 
of  an  unencumbered  pixperty,  yielding  an  annual  income  of  more  than 
three  thousand  dollars. 

The  Grand  Lodge  decided,  by  the  adoption  of  a  report  which  altered 
one  of  the  by-laws  of  a  Subordinate  Lodge,  that  when  a  member  of  a 
Lodge  had  been  erased  from  the  roll,  from  non-payment  of  dues,  or 
expelled  for  any  other  cause,  he  could  nut  be  reinstated,  uuless  by  bal- 
lot, as  in  his  fi'st  election. 

Aft.T  the  transaction  of  some  other  business,  unimportant  in  an  his- 
torical point  of  view,  the  /<ist  Quarterly  Communication  of  the  Grand 
L  -Ige  of  South  Carolina  was  closed. 

Li  the  month  uf  June,  ls">x,  an  association  in  the  city  of  Charles- 
ton, consisting  of  ladies  who  had  organise  i  lor  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
contributions,  to  enable  them  to  erect  a  monument  to  John  C.  Calhoun, 
invited  the  Fraternity  to  lay  the  corner  stone  of  the  contemplated  QioD* 
'1:10  nt.  This  invitation  was  accepted  by  the  Grand  Master,  and  an 
occasional  Qrand  Lodge  having  been  opened,  it  proceeded,  accompanied 
by  a  Domeroua  pro  enion  of  all  the  civil  and  military  associations  of 
the  city,  to  tin/  <  'itadel  square,  where  the  corner  stone  was  laid  in  ample 
form  aud  acordiog  to  the  aucieut  ceremonies  of  the  Oro. 


±±±  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Amain!  Communication  on  (he  lQth  of  November,  1858.  In  com- 
pliance with  the  provisions  of  the  revised  Constitution,  the  first  Annual 
Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  was  hidden  at 
Charleston,  on  Tuesday,  the  16th  of  November,  1858.  Fifty  Lodges 
were  represented,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form  by 
the  Grand  Master,  Bro.  Henry  Buist,  at  12  o'clock,  M. 

As  a  long  session  was  anticipated,  to  avoid  the  possibility  of  inter- 
ruption from  any  clashing  of  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  with 
those  of  the  Subordinates  in  the  city,  which  met  in  the  same  room,  it 
was  ordered  that  if  any  such  Subordinates  desired  to  meet  during  the 
session,  they  be  required  to  do  so  in  the  room  below,  and  that  should 
they  in  consequence  be  compelled  to  hold  extra  Communications  after 
the  closing  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  no  rent  should  be  charged  for  the  use 
of  the  Lodge  room. 

It  was  also  determined  that  the  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should 
be  held  iu  the  morning  and  in  the  evening,  and  that  all  Master  Masons 
in  good  standing  should  be  admitted  as  visitors. 

The  Grand  Master  delivered  a  long  and  able  address  on  the  opening 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  in  itself  a  new  and  excellent  feature 
in  the  legislation  of  the  body.  The  poiuts  of  importance  suggested  by 
him  gave  abundant  materials  for  the  deliberation  and  action  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  during  its  session.  In  the  commencement  of  his  address 
he  alluded,  in  the  following  language,  to  the  revised  Constitution  under 
which  the  Grand  Lodge  was  then  meeting  : 

"  I  cordially  greet  you  at  this,  the  first  Annual  Convocation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  under  the  provisions  of  our  recently  amended  Constitu- 
tion. That  the  great  changes  which  have  been  introduced  in  the 
organization  of  this  body,  radical  and  revolutionary  though  they  may 
at  first  glance  appear,  will  be  productive  of  infinite  good  to  the  Insti- 
tution throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  jurisdiction,  I  have 
never  hesitated  to  believe.  The  representative  system,  in  all  organiza- 
tions such  as  that  of  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons,  is  the  one  which 
best  comports  with  the  interests  of  all  who  are  subject  to  its  control. 
The  proxy  system  which  heretofore  prevailed  with  us  was  liable  to 
abuse,  was  not  republican  in  its  tendencies,  and  was  illy  adapted  to  the 
development  of  that  expression  of  sentiment  and  opinion  which,  in  all 
matters  that  concern  the  general  good,  is  so  eminently  a  requisite.  If 
experience  is  to  be  a  guide  in  determining  the  comparative  advantages 
of  the  two  systems,  and  they  may  be  justly  termed  two  different 
systems,  it  cannot  admit  of  serious  question  that  the  one  is  attendant 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  44^ 

with  a  healthful  prosperity  and  that  the  other  is  fraught  with 
discord." 

He  announced  that  daring  the  year  he  had  adjudicated  the  following 
questions  of  Masonic  law  : 

"  A  Lodge  under  dispensation  is  not  actually  a  Lodge.  It  is  only  a 
quasi  Lodge,  the  creature  or  proxy  of  the  Grand  Master,  can  make  no 
by-laws,  install  no  officers,  nor  be  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
has  no  members  legally  recognizable  as  such,  except  the  Master  and 
his  Wardens  named  in  the  dispensation.  To  the  Master  and  Wardens, 
as  the  representatives  of  the  Grand  Master,  that,  officer  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  high  prerogatives  has  entrusted  the  care  of  Masonry  in 
that  particular  Masonic  jurisdiction.  From  these  data  or  principles, 
which  have  ever  been  considered  as  sound  law  in  this  State,  the  lolluw- 
iug  conclusions  applicable  to  the  case,  result : 

"  1.  A  Lodge  under  dispensation  has  no  Treasurer  or  Secretary 
recognized  by  the  law.  Such  officers  may  ba  temporarily  appointed  by 
the  Master,  and  usually  are  for  his  own  convenience,  but  he  is  under 
uo  obligations  to  do  so. 

"2.  The  Master  is  the  legal  custodian  of  the  funds  of  a  Lodge 
under  dispensation,  and  the  depositary  and  keeper  of  the  records. 
Ho,  alone,  is  known  as  such  to  the  Grand  Master,  and  to  him  alone 
will  the  Grand  Master  look  for  a  faithful  account  of  the  fuuds,  aud  a 
correct  record  of  the  proceedings. 

"  3.  A  Lodge  under  dispensation  lias  no  right  to  call  upon  the 
Master  to  give  bonds  or  to  appoint  a  Treasurer." 

These  decisions  were  submitted  to  a  committee,  upon  whose  favor- 
able report  their  correctness  was  concurred  in  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  they  became,  therefore,  a  part  of  the  Masonic  history  of  the 
State. 

The  Grand  Master  called  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the 
necessity  of  a  thorough  revision  of  the  Constitution,  as  the  amendments 
adopted  at  the  last  Communication  were  of  such  a  character  as  to  re- 
quire its  alteration  and  reconstruction  iu  many  essential  particulars. 
Subsequently,  during  the  course  of  the  session,  this  subject  was  taken 
up,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  A.  G.  Mackey,  H  W.  Schroder,  B. 
K.  Campbell,  B.  Johnson  and  T.  P.  Slider,  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
revised  Constitution,  with  power  to  meet  at  Columbia  during  the  recess 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

This  committee  accordingly  met  in  Columbia,  in  the  month  of  May, 
1859,  aud  alter  the  most  patient  labor,  prepared  a  thoroughly  revised 


416  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Constitution,  which  was  submitted  for  approval  at  the  Annual  Commu- 
nication i;;  November,  18o9.  The  fate  of  that  Constitution  will,  how- 
ever, necessarily  form  a  put  of  the  history  of  the  following  year. 

The  Grand  Master  called  attention  to  the  inconveniences  of  the  pre- 
sent Hall,  which  he  thought  altogether  unsuited  to  Masonic  purposes, 
and  recommended  that  it  should  he  sold  and  a  new  one  erected.  The 
Grand  Lodge  did  not  however,  concur  with  these  views,  and  declined, 
therefore,  to  take  any  action  on  the  subject.  During  the  past  summer 
the  Grand  Master  had,  unofficially,  appointed  an  advisory  committee  of 
experienced  brethren  to  make  the  necessary  enquiries  on  the  subject, 
and  to  provide  him  with  the  requisite  information  to  lay  before  the 
Grand  Lodge.  But  although  it  was  evident  that  many  improvements 
were  needed  in  the  present  Hall,  and  that  a  new  one  erected  with  a 
more  correct  view  to  the  purposes  of  Masonry  was  a  desideratum,  yet 
the  high  estimates  required  for  the  construction  of  such  a  building, 
convinced  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that  to  enter  upon  such 
an  undertaking  would  be  to  involve  that  body  in  a  series  of  pecuniary 
embarrassments  from  wlrch  it  would  be  difficult  to  hope  for  a  speedy 
release.     The  idea  was,  therefore,  abandoned. 

The  subject  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  was  brought  to  the  attention 
of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine  had  suggested  the 
meeting  of  delegates  at  Chicago  in  September,  1859,  to  deliberate  on 
the  expediency  of  such  an  organization.  While  both  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter and  the  Grand  Lodge  were  opposed  to  the  organization  of  any  body 
which  would  interfere  with,  or  impair  the  sovereignty  of  each  State 
Grand  Lodge,  yet  a  deference  to  the  request  of  the  sister  jurisdiction 
of  Maine,  led  the  one  to  suggest,  and  th?  other  to  agree  to,  the  appoint- 
ment of  delegates  to  the  Chicago  convention,  restricted,  however,  as  to 
any  authority  to  compromise  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  establishment  of 
any  body  with  supreme  power*.  Delegates  were  accordingly  appointed, 
and  Brothers  H.  Buist,  A  G  Mackey,  and  David  Ramsay  appeared 
in  that  convention  as  the  representatives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina. 

The  Masonic  Congress  of  all  nations,  which  had  convened  at  Paris 
in  the  year  18'>6,  had  resolved  that  another  one  should  be  held  in  the 
city  of  New  York  in  the  year  18G2.  The  Grand  Master  having  called 
the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  this  subject,  it  was  referred  to  a 
committee,  upon  whose  recommendations  the  subject  was  favorably  re- 
ceived by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  hope  expressed  by  the  committee 
was  concurred  in,  that  at  the  proper  time  the  necessary  steps  would  bo 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  447 

taken  for  the  representation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  in 
that  Congress. 

Masonic  Congresses  are  no  new  feature  in  the  history  of  the  legisla- 
tion of  Masonry.  At  least  twenty-five  have  been  held  in  the  course  of 
the  last  nine  centuries,  beginning  with  that  important  one  at  York,  to 
which  we  are  indebted  for  the  system  of  Masonry  now  practiced  wher- 
ever the  Anglo-Saxon  tongue  is  spoken.  The  fact  that  in  some  of 
the^c  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  took  a  part,  ami  that  in  all 
probability  it  will  be  represented  in  the  one  to  be  held  in  a  short  time 
in  New  York,  makes  me  venture  on  a  brief  narrative  of  those  Con- 
gresses as  an  interesting  episode  in  the  present  history,  and  as  present- 
ing a  detail  of  valuable  facts  which  it  has  caused  me  no  little  labor  to 
collect.  It  must  be  confessed,  however,  that  only  very  meagre  details 
of  the  Congresses  held  during  the  period  I  have  named  have,  as  a  gen- 
eral fact,  been  transmitted  to  posterity.  We  know  the  time  and  place 
of  meeting,  and  the  general  objects  for  which  each  Congress  was  called, 
but,  except  in  a  few  instances,  the  details  of  their  transactions  have 
perished  in  the  lapse  of  time,  or  never  have  been  recorded,  through  the 
indifference  or  carelessness  of  their  historians. 

Congress  at  York. — In  the  year  926,  Prince  Edwin,  the  brother  of 
King  Athelstaue,  of  England,  convoked  a  Masonic  Congress  at  the  city 
of  York,  which,  under  the  name  of  a  General  Assembly,  established 
the  celebrated  Gothic  Constitutions,  which  is  the  eldest  Masonic  docu- 
ment extant.  These  Constitutions  have  always  been  recognized  as 
containing  the  fundamental  law  of  Masonry.  Although  transcripts  of 
these  Constitutions  are  known  to  have  been  taken  in  the  reign  of 
Richard  II,  the  document  was  for  a  long  time  lost  sight  of  until  a  copy 
of  it  was  discovered  in  the  year  18ob,  in  the  British  Museum,  and 
published  by  Mr.  J.  O.  IL.lliwell. 

First  Congress  of  Strasburg. — A  Masonic  Congress  was  convoked  at 
Strasburg,  in  1275,  by  Erwin  Von  Steinbaeh,  Master  of  the  Work. 
The  object  was  the  continuation  of  the  labors  on  the  cathedral  of  Stras- 
burg, and  it  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  Masons  from  Ger- 
many, England  and  Italy.  It  was  at  this  Congress  that  the  German 
builders  and  architects  in  imitation  of  their  English  brethren,  assumed 
the  name  of  Freemasons,  and  took  the  obligations  of  fidelity  and  obedi- 
ence to  the  ancient  laws  and  regulati  >M  of  the  Order. 

First  Congress  of  Hatlsbna.  —  It  was  convoked  in  1459,  by  Jost  Dot- 
zinger,  the  Master  of  -die  Works  of  the  Strasburg  catbedial.  It  estab- 
lished some  new  laws  for  the  government  of  the  Fraternity  in  Germany. 


448  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASOXRY 

Scond  Congress  of  Rutisbon. — Convoked  in  1464,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Strasburg,  principally  to  define  the  relative  rights  of,  and  to 
settle  existing  difficulties  between,  the  Gratid  Lodges  of  Strasburg, 
Cologne,  Vienna  and  Berne. 

Congress  of  Spire. — Convoked  in  14G9,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Sfcrasburg,  for  the  coi.sideration  of  the  condition  of  the  Craft,  and  of 
the  edifices  in  course  of  erection  by  them. 

Congress  of  Cologne. — This,  which  was  one  of  the  most  important 
Congresses  that  was  ever  convened,  was  convoked  in  1535,  by  Hermann, 
Bi>i:op  of  Cologne.  It  was  attended  by  delegates  from  nineteen  Grand 
Lodges,  and  wis  engaged  in  the  refutation  of  the  slanders  beginning  at 
this  time  to  be  circulated  ag::i  st  the  Fraternity.  The  result  of  its 
deliberations  was  the  celebrated  document  known  as  the  "Charter  of 
Cologne." 

Congress  of  Basic. — This  Congress  was  convoked  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Strasburg,  in  1563,  principally  for  tlie  purpose  of  settling 
certain  difficulties  which  had  arisen  respecting  the  rights  of  the  twenty 
Lodges  which  were  its  Subordinates.  Some  uew  regulations  were 
adopted  at  this  Congress. 

Second  Congress  of  Strasburg. — Convoked  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Strasburg,  in  1564.  It  appears  to  have  been  only  a  continuation  of 
the  preceding  one  at  Basle,  and  the  same  matters  became  the  subjects 
of  its  consideration. 

Congress  of  London. — The  history  of  this  Congress  is  familiar  to  all 
American  and  English  Masons.  It  was  convoked  by  the  four  Lodges 
of  London  at  the  Apple-tree  tavern,  in  February,  1717-  Its  results 
were  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Institution  upou  that  system  which  has  since  been  pursued 
in  England  and  this  country. 

Congress  of  Dublin. — Convoked  by  the  Lodges  of  Dublin,  in  1730, 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland. 

Congress  of  Edinburgh. — Convoked,  in  1736,  by  the  four  Lodges  of 
Edinburgh,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  from  Sinclair,  of  Roslin,  his 
abdication  of  the  hereditary  Grand  Mastership  of  Scotland,  and  for  the 
election  of  a  Grand  Master.  The  result  of  this  Congress  was  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland. 

Congress  of  the  Hague. — Convoked  by  the  Royal  Union  Lodge,  and 
the  result  was  the  establishment  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  Provinces. 

First  Congress  of  Jena. — Convoked,  in  1763,  by  the  Lodge  of  Strict 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  ±40 

Observance,  under  the  presidency  of  Johnson,  a  Masonic  charlatan,  but 
whose  real  name  was  Becker.  In  this  Congress  the  doctrine  was  first 
announced  that  the  Freemasons  were  the  successors  of  the  Knights 
Templar,  a  dogma  peculiarly  characteristic  of  the  rite  of  Strict  Ob- 
servance. 

Second  Congress  of  Jena. — Convoked  in  the  following  year,  1764, 
by  Johnson,  with  the  desire  of  authoritatively  establishing  his  doctrine 
of  the  connexion  between  Templarism  and  Masonry.  The  empirical 
character  of  Johnson,  or  Becker,  was  here  discovered  by  the  celebrated 
Baron  Huiide,  and  he  was  denounced  and  subsequently  punished  at 
Magdeburg  by  the  public  authorities. 

Congress  of  Altenberg. — This  Congress  was  convoked,  in  1765,  as  a 
continuation  of  the  preceding.  Its  result  was  the  establishment  of  the 
rite  of  Strict  Observance,  and  the  election  of  Baron  Hunde  as  Grand 
Master. 

Congress  of  Brunswick. — Convoked,  in  1775,  by  Ferdinand,  Duke 
of  Brunswick.  Its  object  was  to  effect  a  fusion  of  the  various  rites, 
but  it  terminated  its  labors,  after  a  session  of  six  weeks,  without  success. 

Congress  of  Lyons. — Convoked,  in  1778,  by  the  Lodge  of  Chevaliers 
bienfaisants.  Its  object  was  to  produce  a  reform  in  the  rituals  of  the 
Masonic  system,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  have  been  sagacious  in  its 
means,  nor  successful  in  its  results. 

Congress  of  Wolfenbuttel. — This  Congress  was  convoked,  in  1778, 
by  the  Duke  of  Brunswick,  as  a  continuation  of  that  which  had  been 
held  in  1775,  and  with  the  same  view  of  reforming  the  organization  of 
the  Order.  However,  after  a  session  of  five  weeks,  it  terminated  its 
labors,  with  no  other  result  than  an  agreement  to  call  a  more  extensive 
meeting  at  Wilhelmsbad. 

Congress  of  Wfflu  (msbad. — This  Congress  was  convoked  in  1782. 
Its  avowed  object  was  the  reform  of  the  Masonic  system,  and  its  dis- 
entanglement from  the  confused  mass  of  rites  with  which  French  and 
German  pretenders  or  enthusiasts  had  sought  to  overwhelm  it.  Im- 
portant topics  were  proposed  at  its  commencement,  but  none  of  them 
were  discussed,  and  the  Congress  was  closed  without  coining  to  any 
other  positive  determination  than  that  Freemasonry  was  not  connected 
with  Templarism,  or,  in  other  words,  that,  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of 
the  rite  of  Strict  Observance,  the  Freemasons  were  not  the  Buooest  n 
of  the  Knights  Templars. 

First  Congress  of  t\xris. — Convoked  in  1785,  again  with  the  lauda- 
ble view  of   introducing  a  reform  in   the   rituals  and  of  discussing 
20 


J.50  FIISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

important  points  of  doctrine  and  history.  It  closed,  after  a  session  of 
three  months,  without  producing  any  practical  result. 

Second  Congress  of  Paris. — Convoked  in  1787  as  a  continuation  of 
the  former,  and  closed  with  precisely  the  same  negative  result. 

Congress  of  Washington. — This  Congress  was  convoked  in  the  year 
1822,  at  the  call  of  several  Grand  Lodges,  for  the  purpose  of  recom- 
mending the  establishment  of  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.     The  effort  was  an  unsuccessful  one. 

Congress  of  Baltimore. — Couvoked  in  the  year  1843,  with  the  object 
of  establishing  a  uniform  system  of  work.  Perhaps  there  was  not,  in 
any  of  the  preceding  Congresses,  a  greater  instance  of  failure  than  in 
this,  since  not  a  year  elapsed  before  the  most  prominent  members  of 
the  Congress  disagreed  as  to  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  reforms 
which  were  instituted,  and  the  Baltimore  system  of  work  has  already 
become  a  myth. 

Second  Congress  of  Baltimore. — This  Congress  was  convoked  in  the 
year  1847,  the  object  being  again  to  attempt  the  establishment  of  a 
General  Grand  Lodge.  This  Congress  went  so  far  as  to  adopt  a 
"  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  Constitution,"  but  its  action  was  not  supported 
by  a  sufficient  number  of  Grand  Lodges  to  carry  it  into  effect. 

Congress  of  Lexington. — This  Congress  was  convoked  in  1853,  at 
Lexington  (Ky .),  for  the  purpose  of  again  making  the  attempt  to  form 
a  General  Grand  Lodge.  A  plan  of  Constitution  was  proposed,  but  a 
sufficient  number  of  Grand  Lodges  did  not  accede  to  the  proposition  to 
give  it  efficacy. 

Third  Congress  of  Paris. — Convoked  by  order  of  Prince  Mnrat,  in 
1855,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  various  reforms  in  the  Masonic 
system.  At  this  Congress,  ten  propositions,  some  of  them  highly  im- 
portant, were  introduced,  and  their  adoption  recommended  to  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  world.  The  meeting  has  been  too  recently  held 
to  permit  us  to  form  any  opinion  as  to  what  will  be  its  results. 

Congress  of  Chicago. — Convoked  in  1859,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maine,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  expe- 
diency of  organizing  a  General  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
The  Congress,  which  consisted  of  the  representatives  of  eleven  Grand 
Lodges,  repudiated  this  idea,  but  recommended  a  Triennial  Congress 
without  any  power  of  legislation,  but  simply  to  meet  for  intercommu- 
nication of  Masonic  thought.  This  admirable  proposal  has,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  misapprehension  of  its  objects,  been  unfavorably  received 
by  most  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States. 


IN  SOUTH  CAKuLDsA  ^i 

From  this  catalogue  it  will  be  seen  that  a  large  number  of  Masonic 
Congresses  have  been  productive  of  little  or  no  effect.  Others  of  them, 
however,  such,  for  instance,  as  those  of  York,  of  Cologne,  of  London, 
and  a  few  others,  have  certainly  left  their  mark,  and  there  can,  I  think, 
be  but  little  doubt,  that  a  General  Congress  of  the  Masons  of  the  world, 
meeting  with  an  eye  single  to  the  great  object  of  Masonic  reform,  and 
guided  by  a  spirit  of  compromise,  might  be  of  incalculable  advantage 
to  the  interests  of  the  Institution  at  the  present  day. 

In  the  course  of  his  address,  the  Grand  Master  had  particularly 
directed  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  important  subject  of 
the  history  of  Masonry  in  the  State,  which,  as  he  said,  "rermiius  to  be 
written,"  and  he  reuewed  the  suggestions  on  that  subject,  that  had 
been  made  by  the  Grand  Secretary  in  his  report  of  the  previous  year. 
During  the  session  the  subject  was  taken  up,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  collect  materials  towards  the  completion  of  such  a  history, 
but,  owing  to  various  causes,  this  committee  never  met,  and  it  was  not 
until  the  next  year  that  the  proper  course  was  adopted,  which  has  re- 
sulted in  the  preparation  of  the  present  work. 

The  subject  of  the  work  and  lectures  was  also  commented  on  by  the 
presiding  officer,  and  he  suggested  that  provision  should  be  made  for 
placing  the  office  of  Grand  Lecturer  on  a  more  advantageous  position, 
as  regards  the  usefulness  of  the  office,  than  it  was  at  present,  or,  in  the 
failure  to  accomplish  that  object,  at  least  to  have  arrangements  made 
for  the  exemplification  of  the  work  during  the  sessions  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  An  attempt  was  made  to  develop  these  views  during  the 
course  of  the  session,  and  a  system  of  regulations,  relating  to  th<> 
appointment  of  a  Grand  Lecturer,  was  presented  by  a  committee  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Constitution. 

The  work  was  also  exemplified,  during  the  session,  in  the  ihrev 
degrees,  by  Brother  A.  G.  Maekey,  the  Grand  Lecturer. 

The  Grand  Secretary  made,  as  usual,  his  report  on  the  Foreign  Cor- 
respondence of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  which  he  gave  a  summary  of  the 
transactions  of  the  past  year  in  other  jurisdictions. 

The  report  on  the  Grand  Treasurer's  books  showed  a  revenue  of 
$5,417  during  the  past  year,  and  a  balance  of  $037  in  the  treasury. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  22,  on  Edisto  Island,  having,  for  a  long  time, 
struggled  under  the  difficulty  of  an  insufficiency  of  members,  at  length, 
at  this  Communication,  surrendered  its  warrant  of  constitution,  and 
with  it  its  books  and  furniture.  The  latter  were  loaned,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  to  St.  John's  Lodge,  at  Bluffton 


.(.5^  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  committee  which  had  been  appointed,  at  the  last  Communica- 
tion, to  draft  a  tariff  of  fees  by  which  the  taxation  on  the  city  and 
country  Lodges  should  be  equalized,  made  their  report,  which  was 
adopted,  and  the  tariff  recommended  by  them  was  incorporated  into 
the  Constitution. 

Warrants  of  constitution  were  granted  to  the  following  Lodges : 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  17,  at  Barnwell  C.  H. ;  Winyaw  Lodge  No. 
40,  at  Georgetown;  Eureka  Lodge  No.  43,  at  Adamsville;  Campbell 
Lodge  No.  44,  at  Clinton;  Effingham  Lodge  No.  45,  at  Effingham; 
Kingstree  Lodge  No.  46,  at  Kingstree;  Eureka  Lodge  No.  47,  at 
Ninety-Six;  Lebanon  Lodge  No.  48,  at  Myersville;  Wallace  Lodge 
No.  49,  in  Laurens  District;   Mackey  Lodge  No.  52,  at  Fruit  Hill. 

The  subject  of  the  Cokesbury  Masonic  Female  College  was  brought 
before  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  the  report  of  the  committee  to  whom  it 
had  been  referred  at  the  last  Communication.  In  an  Annual  Report 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  made  at  this  session,  "  the  continued  suc- 
cess and  increasing  usefulness"  of  the  institution  had  been  described, 
but  they  again  urged  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  "the  absolute  necessity 
for  help."  The  committee,  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred, 
gave  this  application  a  favorable  consideration,  and  recommended  the 
appointment  of  a  Professorship  in  the  College,  subject  to.  the  control 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  matter  of  election  as  well  as  of  support 
The  subject  was  referred  lor  further  consideration  to  the  Committee  on 
the  Revision  of  the  Constitution. 

During  this  session  several  principles  of  Masonic  jurisprudence  were 
settled,  either  in  the  correction  of  by-laws  of  Lodges  which  were  sub- 
mitted for  approval,  or  in  the  adjustment  of  appeals.  Several  of  these 
principles  have  already  been  referred  to.  The  others  were,  that  when 
a  member  is  suspended  by  his  Lodge,  his  arrears  do  not  continue  to 
accrue  during  his  suspension;  that  the  salutations  are  due  to  the  first 
three  officers  of  a  Lodge ;  and  that  although  nominations  to  office  are 
strictly  in  accordance  with  the  most  ancient  Masonic  usage,  a  Lodge 
may,  by  a  special  by-law,  prohibit  them. 

The  first  annual  election,  under  the  revised  Constitution,  was  held 
with  the  following  result : 

Henry  Buist,  of  Charleston,  GranM  Master  ; 

B.  R.  Campbell,  of  Laurens,  Deputy  Grand  Master  ; 

A.  Ramsay,  of  Edgefield,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

H.  W.  Schroder,  of  Charleston,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

Ben.t.  Johnson,  of  Abbeville,  Grand  Chaplain ; 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  i;,;:; 

)oiin  II.  Honour,  of  Charleston,  Grand  Treasurer) 
Amsert  Gr.   MaCKET,   M.D.,  of  Charleston,  Grand  Secretary. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  session  the  subordinate  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  were  appointed  and  the  installation  took  place.  Bro.  B.  II. 
Campbell,  Past  Deputy  Graud  Master,  installed  the  Grand  Master  elect, 
who  then  installed  the  other  officers. 

During  the  ceremony  a  member  objected  to  the  installation  of  the 
Senior  Grand  Warden,  basing  his  protest  on  the  fact  that  that  officer 
was  two  years  in  arrears  as  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  tendered 
a  certificate  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  to  that  effect. 

The  Grand  Master  refused  to  receive  the  certificate  of  the  Grand 
Treasurer,  on  the  ground  that,  by  the  od  Section  of  Rule  XVIII  of 
the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  the 
decision  of  the  question,  whether  the  installation  should  or  should  not 
proceed,  was  left  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  not  to  him,  and  therefore  he 
put  the  question  to  the  Grand  Lodge:  "shall  the  installation  of  the 
Senior  Grand  Warden  be  proceeded  with  ;"  which  was  carried,  and  the 
Grand  Master  accordingly  installed  Bro.  A.  Ramsay  as  Senior  Grand 
Warden. 

The  remaining  officers  were  then  installed,  and  the  jirst  Annual  Com- 
munication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed  in  ample  form. 

The  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was  not  celebrated  this  year 
by  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  day  was  not  forgotten,  however,  throughout 
the  jurisdiction,  as  the  Subordinate  Lodges  met  as  usual  in  their  vari- 
ous localities  and  installed  their  officers.  In  the  country,  however,  the 
favorite  Festival  of  the  Order,  on  account  of  the  pleasantness  of  the 
weather  and  the  greater  abundance  of  leisure,  has  always  been  the 
24th  of  June,  or  the  Feast  of  St.  John  the  Baptist.  In  the  cities  of 
Charleston  aud  Columbia  only,  has  the  27th  of  December  been  in  gen- 
eral, publicly  celebrated  as  a  Masonic  Festival. 


IM  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    LIT. 

THE    YEAS     1859. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  1859-60': 

Henry  Buist,  Grand  Master; 

B.  R.  Campbell,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 
A.  Ramsay,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

H.  W.  Schroder,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 
Benj.  Johnson,  Grand  Chaplain; 
John  B.  Honour,  Grand  Treasurer; 
Albert  G.  Maciiey,  M.D.,  Grand  Secretary ; 

C.  Froneberger,  )         . 

tw    -nr    r\  l  Senior  Grand  Deacons  ; 

Z.  W.  Carwile,    y 

H.   L.    BUTTERFIELD, 


i  Junior  Grand  Deacons  ; 
J.  R.  N.  Tenhet, 

P.  K.  COBURN,  Grand  Marshal; 

D.  Ramsay,  Grand  Pursuivant  ;■ 

J.  G.  Renkin, 


T.  P   Slider,    >  ^and  Stewards . 

Samuel  Burke,  Grand  Tiler ; 
Albert  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Lecturer. 

The  Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  year  I8597 
commenced  on  Tuesday,  the  15th  of  November.  The  Grand  Ledge 
was  opened  at  high  twelve,  and  when  the  roll  was  called  the  delegates 
of  sixty-six  Lodges  answered  to  their  names.  The  sessions  of  the' 
Grand  Lodge  were  continued  from  day  to  day,  until  Friday  noon, 
when  it  was  finally  clused.  During  the  Communication  the  Grand 
Master  delivered  an  able  address,  in  which  he  passed  in  review  the 
most  important  events  that  had  occurred  daring  the  past  year  in  the 
jurisdiction,  and  the  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  on  foreign  corres- 
pondence gave  a  synopsis  of  the  condition  of  Masonry  in  other 
jurisdictions,  so  that  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  thus  put 
in  possession  of  a  knowledge  of  the  general  condition  of  the  Order, 
both  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  doctrine  that  the  Grand  Master  possessed  the  prerogative  of 


IN  SOOTH  CAROLINA.  |  ',;, 

making  Masons  "at  .sight,"  that  is  to  say,  in  an  occasional  Lodge  con- 
vened and  organized  by  himself,  and  which,  when  the  business  of 
initiation  had  been  accomplished,  was  dissolved  by  the  same  authority, 
had  always  been  maintained  in  South  Carolina  as  good  Masonic  law. 
The  technical  term  "at  sight"  was  borrowed,  it  is  true,  from  the 
Ancient  York  Masons,  by  whose  great  leader,  Laurence  Perinott,  it 
was  first  used  ;  but  the  practice  had  always  been  sanctioned  in  the 
legal  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  whose  Grand  Masters  had  frequently 
performed  the  act,  calling  it,  however,  initiation  in  "an  occasional 
Lodge."  This  prerogative  was,  this  year,  exercised  by  the  Grand 
.Master,  and  acquiesced  in  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  under  the  following 
circumstances  : 

In  the  month  of  March,  Col.  Charles  Augustus  May,  a  well  kuown 
and  distinguished  officer  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  being  on  a 
visit  to  Charleston,  and  having  expressed  an  ardent  desire  to  be  initiated 
into  Masonry,  which  he  had  been  heretofore  prevented  from  doing,  in 
consequence  of  the  cosmopolitan  character  of  his  profession,  the  Grand 
Master  summoned  an  occasional  Lodge,  and  made  him  a  Mason  at  sight. 
The  funds  accruing  from  this  initiation  were,  by  dircctiou  of  the  Grand 
Master,  presented  to  the  widow  of  a  Master  Mason,  who  was  io  desti- 
tute circumstances,  and  had,  on  former  occasions,  received  relief  from 
the  Fraternity. 

A  complaint  was  made  by  Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11  against  True 
Brotherhood  Lodge  No.  84,  that  the  latter  had  conferred  degrees  on 
several  candidates  whose  place  of  residence  was  nearer  to  the  former 
Lodge.  The  committee  to  whom  this  complaint  was  referred,  reported 
that  True  Brotherhood  Lodge  had  by  these  acts  made  itself  liable  Ui 
censure,  and  recommended  that  the  fees  received  by  it  should  be  for- 
feited to  Lodge  No.  11.  This  report  was  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
but  subsequently,  at  the  request  of  the  Master  of  Lodge  No.  84,  was 
reconsidered,  and  postponed  until  the  next  Communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Iu  the  meantime,  the  Master  of  True  Brotherhood  Lodge 
having  died,  when  the  report  came  up  for  consideration,  it  was  dis- 
missed, but  the  principle  announced  in  the  report  met  with  the  general 
approbation  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  at  the  Communication  iu   185S, 
a  committee   on   the  History  of  Masonry  in  the  State   had   been  ap- 
pointed, with  power  to  sit  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This 
committee  never  met,  and  consequently  made  no  report,  but  the  Grand 
r  having  again  brought   the  subject  to  the  consideration  of  the 


456  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Grand  Lodge,  that  body,  under  the  report  of  a  committee,  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  best  way  of  accomplishing  the  object  was  to  en- 
trust the  duty  of  writing  the  history  to  some  competent  brother,  who 
would  devote  his  attention  to  the  collection  of  facts  and  their  proper 
condensation. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  therefore,  determined  to  elect  au  historiographer, 
and  the  author  of  the  present  work  was,  during  the  session,  selected  to 
occupy  that  post. 

The  necessity  of  establishing  some  more  rigid  and  uniform  system  of 
examination  of  visitors,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  the  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee,  but  the  report  recom- 
mended a  system  of  examination  of  so  impracticable  a  nature,  that,  al- 
though the  report  was  adopted,  the  method  it  proposed  was  never  put 
into  prictice  in  any  Lodge. 

The  Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia  had  recently  proposed  to 
establish  in  the  city  of  Washington  a  national  Masonic  Home  for  the 
support  of  widows  and  education  of  orphans  of  American  Freemasons. 
The  plan  seems  at  first  to  have  met  with  much  approval,  and  several 
thousand  dollars  had  been  subscribed  by  Lodges  and  individuals,  prin- 
cipally in  the  city  of  Washington.  The  Rev.  W.  D.  Haley,  the  agent 
of  the  Home,  appeared,  during  this  Communication,  before  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  in  an  eloquent  address  set  forth  its  claims  to  the  patronage 
and  assistance  of  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina.  But  while  the 
committee,  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred,  reported  that  the 
object  of  the  Institution  was  ''such  as  could  not  fail  to  enlist  the  atten- 
tion and  good  wishes  of  every  Mason,"  yet  they  expressed  the  opinion 
that  "it  was  not  absolutely  necessary."  They  therefore  refused  to  re- 
commend an  appropriation.  The  Grand  Lodge  concurred  in  these 
views,  and  no  money  was  accordingly  appropriated  from  the  funds  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  support  of  the  Masonic  Home,  although  several 
Masons  contributed  privately  to  the  laudable  object. 

The  attempt  made  at  Chicago,  of  which  I  have  already  spoken,  to 
inaugurate  a  North  American  Masonic  Congress,  was  brought,  at  this 
Communication,  before  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  plan  proposed  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee,  who  reported  adversely.  This  re- 
port was  not  immediately  adopted,  but  at  the  Communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1860,  it  will  hereafter  be  seen,  that  the  same  views 
continued  to  be  entertained,  and  that  then  the  Grand  Lodge  refused  to 
enter  into  the  scheme  of  a  triennial  Congress. 

An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made,  at  this  Communication,  to  obtain 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  4.57 

tbe  appropriation  of  a  large  sum  of  money  ($12,000)  for  the  purpose  of 
improving  aud  enlarging  the  Masonic  Hall.  The  proposition,  which 
had  been  recommended  by  a  special  committee,  was  laid  over  until  the 
nest  Communication  for  consideration,  and  has  never  since  been  taken 
up.  Indeed,  postponements  of  any  questions  to  the  next  Communi- 
cation seem  generally  to  be  considered  as  equivalent  to  sending  them  to 
the  "  tomb  of  the  Capulets." 

A  proposal  was  also  made  for  the  endowment  of  a  Professorship  in 
the  Cokesbury  Female  College,  but  the  proposition  met  with  the  same 
inauspicious  disposition,  and  the  same  adverse  fate.  It  was  postponed 
id  tin'  next  Aunual  Communication,  and  then  ruled  out  of  order. 

The  subject  of  dispensations  to  form  new  Lodges  was  brought  to  the 
attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  Grand  Master,  who  complained  of 
"  the  abuses  which  were  so  common  in  connexion  with  the  formation 
of  new  Lodges."  A  committee  to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,  con- 
curred with  the  views  of  the  Grand  Master,  aud  recommended  that  in 
future  no  dispensation  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  Lodge  iu  ihc 
country  should  be  granted  by  the  Grand  Master  without  the  consent  of 
the  three  nearest  Lodges,  aud  in  the  city  without  the  consent  of  the 
lour  nearest.  The  report  was  received,  but  as  it  was  accompauied  by  no 
resolution,  and  if  it  had  been,  as  that  resolution  woLdjd  have  amounted  to 
an  alteration  of  the  Constitution  at  least,  if  not  an  infringement  of  the 
dispensing  prerogative  of  the  Grand  Master,  the  recommendation  has 
been  ever  since  considered  as  inoperative,  aud  dispeusatious  have  con- 
tinued to  be  issued  under  the  old  regulation. 

The  much  agitated  question  of  a  uniformity  of  work  again  occupied 
the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  was  referred  to  a  committee  to 
devise  the  best  method  of  securing  this  desideratum.  The  committee, 
however,  made  no  report  until  the  next  year. 

The  reformers  had  accomplished  much  in  the  abolition  of  the  proxy 
system  and  the  Quarterly  Communications,  as  well  as  in  the  establish- 
ment of  oue  aunual  meeting  aud  the  payment  of  representatives.  Put 
the  whole  task,  to  the  performance  of  which  they  had  pledged  them- 
selves, was  not  yet  accomplished.  A  great  labor  still  lay  before  them. 
Among  the  evils  under  which,  since  the  uuion  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges 
in  1808,  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  had 
been  Buffering,  none  was  perhaps  more  evidently  opposed  to  the  ancient 
landmarks  and  productive  at  times  of  more  unjust  or  at  least  unequal 
representation,  than  that  regulation  by  which  Past  Masters  were  ad- 
mitted to  membership. 


458  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  had,  in  its  Constitution, 
declared  that  the  Grand  Lodge  consisted  of  the  Grand  and  Past  Grand 
Officers,  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Subordinates,  and  all  "  Past 
Masters  of  Lodges  while  they  continued  members  of  regular  Lodges, 
provided  they  signified  their  intention  of  continuing  members  of  the 
Graud  Lodge  to  the  Grand  Secretary." 

This  provision  ;n  favor  of  Past  Masters  was  peculiar  to  the  irregular 
Athol  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons,  and  was  manifestly  a  violation  of 
an  ancient  legal  landmark.  It  was  not  known  to  the  ancient  organiza- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  or  General  Assembly  of  the  Craft,  instituted 
at  York  in  926,  which  was  a  convention  of  all  the  Craft;  nor  to  that  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  established  at  Loudon  in  1717,  which  admitted  only 
the  Grand  Officers  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Lodges;  nor 
to  that  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  established 
in  1736,  which  followed  the  English  rule  of  1717;  nor  to  that  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  at.d  Accepted  Masons,  incorporated  in  1787, 
which  admitted  only  Past  Grand  Officers  in  addition  to  the  Masters  and 
Wardens.  In  none  of  these  was  the  right  of  Past  Masters  to  a  seat  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  ever  recognized. 

But  after  the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  in  1808,  a  union 
which,  as  we  have  already  seen,  had  the  effect  of  thoroughly  infusing 
the  principles  and  usages  of  Ancient  York  Masonry  into  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State,  the  regulation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
York  Masons  was  adopted  in  the  new  Constitution  which  it  was  neces- 
sary to  form,  and  Past  Masters,  from  that  time  until  the  year  1860, 
continued  to  hold  their  seats  and  exercise  their  prerogatives  as  voters 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 

The  law,  which  at  first  required  them  simply  to  register  their  names, 
was  subsequently  modified  so  as  to  subject  their  petition  to  a  ballot, 
two-thirds  of  the  votes  being  required  to  be  in  their  favor.  Eut  this 
modification  was  more  stringent  in  appearance  than  in  reality,  for  a 
long  experience  in  the  Grand  Lodge  has  not  afforded  me  the  recollec- 
tion of  a  single  instance  of  rejection. 

Sanctioned  thus,  by  an  uninterrupted  usage  of  more  than  half  a 
century,  notwithstanding  the  illegality  of  its  origin,  supported  by  the 
prejudices  of  many  to  whom  fifty  years  assumed  the  appearance  of  an- 
tiquity, and  protected  by  the  personal  influence  of  the  Past  Masters 
themselves,  many  of  whom  were  among  the  most  esteemed  and  respected 
members  of  the  Institution,  it  is  evident  that  any  attempt  to  uproot 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  45;* 

the  system  which  ruade  Past  Masters  members  of  the  (hand  Lodge 
would  be  attended  with  more  than  ordinary  difficulties. 

But  the  friends  of  reform,  encouraged  by  their  past  success,  felt  uo 
hesitation  in  attacking  this  system,  which  they  conscientiously  believed 
to  be  an  eucroachment  on  the  landmarks  of  the  Order,  and  which, 
from  fatal  experience  in  their  late  contests,  they  knew  was  a  manifest 
violation  of  all  the  principles  and  practices  of  equal  representation. 

The  objections  of  the  reformers  to  the  system  which  admitted  Past 
Masters  to  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  weie  based  upon  three  con- 
siderations. 

First,  the  system  was  evidently  in  violation  of  the  landmarks  and 
ancient  usages.  There  was  abundant  historical  evidence  to  show  that 
it  had  never  been  recognized  in  the  legitimate  Grand  Lodge  of  Eng- 
land, the  mother  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina, 
and  that  it  was  not  introduced  into  the  legal  Masonic  organization  of 
South  Carolina  until  the  year  1808.  It  was,  therefore,  an  innovation, 
and  when  once  they  were  convinced  of  this  fact  they  felt  bound,  in 
conscience,  to  oppose  its  further  continuance.  The  claim  made  by  the 
Past  Masters  that  they  were  members  by  inherent  right  and  not  by 
courtesy,  and,  therefore,  that  they  could  not  legally  be  removed,  was 
considered  as  preposterous  and  in  itself  a  dangerous  assumption,  and  the 
reformers  fortunately  recollected  that  one  of  the  most  able  of  their  oppo- 
nents had  expressed  a  similar  opinion  in  1849,  when,  in  a  report  on  a 
similar  question,  connected  with  the  difficulties  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  York,  he  had  expressed,  as  the  voice  of  the  committee  whom  he 
represented,  "  their  surprise  that  any  number  of  intelligent  Masons 
should,  for  a  moment,  claim  for  Past  Masters  an  inherent  and  vested 
right  to  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  it  is,  beyond  all  con- 
tradiction, certain  that  the  ancient  Constitutions  and  usages  not  only 
did  not  confer  such  privileges,  but  did  not  recognize  them  as  members 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all." ■■'  They  did  not,  therefore,  hesitate  to 
oppose  this  system,  on  the  ground  that  every  innovation  is  abhorrent  to 
Masonry  and  should  be  removed  at  once. 

Secondly,  they  opposed  the  system,  because,  by  its  operatiou,  the 
just  balance  of  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  was  utterly  sub- 
verted. Past  Masters  were  the  representatives  of  no  one  but  them- 
selves, they  were  entirely  independent  of  the  Lodges  from  which  the) 
emanated,  and  were  not,  like  the  Masters  and  Wardens,  bound  to  obey 


Report  on  Now  York  difficulties,     Proceedings  f!.  L.  of  S,  C.  for  1849,  p.  21. 


MO  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

instructions.  On  the  contrary,  they  were  sometimes  known  to  act  in 
opposition  to  the  wishes  and  views  of  their  Lodges.  Now  a  Lodge, 
even  with  all  the  advantages  of  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
which  had  been  lately  adopted,  was  only  entitled  to  three  votes,  and,  if 
it  had  four  or  five  Past  Masters,  which  was  not  unusually  the  case,  as 
each  of  these  was  entitled  to  one  vote,  the  preponderance  of  influence 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  was  thrown  into  the  hands  of  these  irresponsible 
and  independent  voters. 

But  there  was  another  still  more  objectionable  feature  in  this  system. 
Ah  hough  the  Past  Masters  of  all  the  Lodges  in  the  State  were  entitled 
to  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  is  evident  that,  as  the  expenses 
of  their  visits  to  the  Communications  of  that  body  were  not  paid,  the 
Past  Masters  from  the  country  would  not  be  likely  to  burthen  them- 
selves annually,  (and  until  the  abolition  of  all  other  than  Annu  il  Com- 
munications, quarterly,)  with  the  cost  of  a  visit  to  the  city  of  Charleston, 
where  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  holden,  simply  to  delib- 
erate and  vote  at  these  Communications.  But  the  Past  Masters  in  the 
city  were  not  liable  to  any  such  expenditure,  and  were  therefore  always 
ready  to  attend  the  Communications,  both  Quarterly  and  Annual.  And 
thus  it  happened,  that  while  the  country  Lodges  were  each  allowed, 
even  after  the  inception  of  the  reform,  to  deposit  only  three  votes,  the 
city  Lodges  possessed,  through  their  Past  Masters,  the  privilege  of  de- 
positing four,  five,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  eight  and  ten  votes  in 
addition  to  the  three  representative  votes  of  the  Master  and  Wardens. 
And  hence,  in  all  questions  where  the  policy  of  the  City  Lodges  dif- 
fered from  that  of  the  country  Lodges,  the  latter  were  constrained  to 
come  up  to  the  settlement  of  such  questions  with  fearful  odds  in  the 
ballot  against  them. 

Hence,  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  Communication  to  pre- 
sent a  revised  Constitution,  and  which  committee  consisted  entirely  of 
brethren  who  had  taken  a  prominent  part  in  favor  of  the  reforms  of  the 
preceding  year,  reported  a  Constitution,  in  which  Past  Masters  were 
deprived  of  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  body  was  made  to 
consist  only  of  the  Grand  Officers  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  for 
the  time  being  of  the  Subordinate  Lodges.  In  deference,  however,  to 
the  long  established,  though  incorrect,  usage  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
committee  declined  at  this  time  to  disfranchise  Past  Masters  entirely  of 
membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  although  some  of  the  reformers  were 
disposed  in  that  way  to  make  the  reformation  thorough,  and  a  provision 
was  accordingly  inserted  by  which  Past  Masters  were  entitled,  upon 


I\   SOUTH  CAROL  IN  1  4^j 

registration  of  their  names,  to  be  present  at  all  Communications  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  to  assist  in  its  deliberations  and  to  be  eligible  to  any 
office,  but  were  not  permitted  to  vote  on  any  subject. 

This  was  the  only  provision  in  the  new  Constitution  that  met  with 
any  serious  opposition.  But  the  efforts  of  its  opponents  were  directed 
with  much  energy  to  its  defeat.  The  disfranchisement  of  the  Past 
Masters  was,  as  a  general  thing,  opposed  by  the  Lodges  and  Past  Mas- 
ters of  the  city,  and  sustained  by  those  of  t lie  country.  There  were  a 
very  few  exceptions  to  this  geographical  division  of  parties.  A  few  of 
the  Past  Masters  of  tin;  city  were  in  favor  of  the  proposed  amendment, 
;md  a  still  fewer  from  the  country  were  opposed  to  it.  But  these  were 
but  exceptions. 

^  hen  the  new  Constitution  was  reported,  an  effort  was  made  by  its 
opponents  to  postpoue  the  consideration  of  it  until  the  following  jear. 
Tli is  was  at  first  opposed  by  the  friends  of  the  new  Constitution,  who 
wanted  the  question  to  betaken  at  once.  Discussions  on  this  subject 
were  warm  and  long  continued.  At  length  it  became  evident  to  the 
friends  of  the  revised  Constitution,  that  the  numbers  and  influence  of 
the  opposing  Past  Masters  in  the  city  were  so  great  that  the  success  of 
the  measure  would,  at  least,  be  rendered  problematical  if  pressed  at  this 
Communication.  It  h::d  become,  indeed,  evident  that  the  battle  could 
not  be  fought  in  Chaileston,  except  under  great  difficulties.  There- 
formers,  therefore,  changed  their  tactics.  An  independent  amendment 
was  offered  and  adopted,  by  which  it  was  provided  that  hereafter  the 
Annual  Communication  should  be  held  at  such  place  as  the  Grand  Lodge 
might,  from  time  to  time,  determine.  A  resolution  was  then  carried 
that  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  holden  at  the 
town  of  Greenville.  And  as  it  was  thought  that  at  that  time  and  place 
there  would  be  a  smaller  attendance  of  Past  Masters,  it  was  supposed 
that  there  would  thus  be  a  fairer  opportunity  of  giving  to  the  votes  of 
the  representatives  that  due  influence  to  which  they  were  entitled. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  then  moved  the  postponement  of  the 
further  consideration  of  the  revised  Constitution  until  the  next  Annual 
Communication,  which  motion  was  adopted  with  but  little  opposition, 
and  the  conflict  was  thus  put  off  for  another  year. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  third  day,  proceeded  to  the  election  of 
Grand  Officers,  and  Henry  Buist  was  reelected  Grand  Master. 

In  the  evening  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  were  installed, 
and  on  Friday  morning  the  labors  of  the  Grand  Lod-e  were  closed. 


j,^  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

During  this  Communication,  warrants  of  constitution  were  granted 
to  the  following  new  Lodges  : 

Mackey  Lodge  No.  52,  at  Hickory  Grove,  Edgefield  District ;  St. 
Peter's  Lodge  No.  54,  at  Manning,  Clarendou  District;  Catawba  Lodge 
No.  56,  at  Fort  Mill,  York  District;  Mount  Willing  Lodge  No.  57,  at 
Mount  Willing,  Edgefield  District;  Blue  Ridge  Lodge  No.  92,  at 
Walhalla,  Pickens  District;  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  93,  at  St.  Jago, 
Island  of  Cuba;  Acacia  Lodge  No.  94,  at  Columbia,  Richland  Dis- 
trict; Etiwan  Lodge  No.  95,  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Charleston  District. 

The  Lodge  at  St.  Jago  was  established  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
the  Masons  of  Cuba  to  establish  a  Grand  Lodge  in  that  island,  two 
other  Lodges  having  been  previously  organized  by  other  Grand  Lodges. 
The  object  has  been  accomplished  by  the  establishment  of  the  Grand 
Orient  of  Cuba,  and  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  has  already  been  removed 
from  the  jurisdiction  of  South  Carolina. 

The  Grand  Master  had  also  granted  dispensations  during  the  year  to 
a  Lodge  at  Graniteville,  and  to  one  in  Chesterfield  District,  but 
warrants  were  not  issued  to  them  at  this  Communication,  in  conse- 
quence of  some  irregularity  in  their  proceedings,  and  by  order  of  the 
Grand  Master  their  dispensations  were  continued  for  another  year. 


!\  SOOTH  CAROLINA.  J^tf 


,       i  Junior  (1  rand  Deacons: 
i  s,    ) 


CHAPTER   LIII. 

THE    YKAU    1860. 

The  following  Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  had  been  elected  in 
November,  1859,  to  serve  until  November,  i860: 

Henry  Buist,  Charleston,  Grand  Master; 

B.  Rush  CAMPBELL,  Laurens,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
A.  Ramsay,  Edgefield,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

T.  P.  SLIDER,  Newberry,  Junior  Grand    Warden; 

Ben.t.  Johnson,  Abbeville,  Grain/  Chaplain; 

J.  II.  Honour,  Charleston,  Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  G.  MACKEY,  M.D.,  Charleston,  Grand  Secretary  ; 

'A.  W.  Carwile,  Edgefield,      ) 

r.    ^  ni      ,  f  Senior  Grand  Deacons; 

C.  Froneberger,  Charleston,  J 

J.  R.  N.  Tenhet,  Marion, 

J.  R.  Sistrunk,  St.  George' 

P.  K.  Coburn,  Charleston,  Grand  Marshal; 

11.  S.  Bruns,  Charleston,  Grand  Pursuivant; 

W.  T.  Miller,  Charleston,    ) 

Wt>   t>tt„~„t,    m     i    i.        r  Grand  Stewards; 
.  P.  Russell,  Charleston,  j 

Samuel  Burke,  Charleston,  Grand  Tiler. 

As  the  recently  adopted  amendments  to  the  Constitution  had  abolished 
Quarterly  Communications,  there  was  no  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
until  the  Annual  one  in  1860. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  this  State,  the 
Annual  Communication  was  holdcn  out  of  the  city  of  Charleston.  Some 
of  the  friends  of  the  proposed  new  Constitution  who  were  zealously  in 
favor  of  its  general  scope  and  character,  were  either  opposed  to  the 
idea  of  a  removal  of  the  meeting  to  another  place,  or  were  reluctaut  to 
make  the  trial  of  such  a  change.  They  deemed  it  au  experiment 
fraught  with  danger,  and  feared  that  a  small  attendance  of  representa- 
tives would  have  an  injurious  effect  on  the  prospect  of  the  adoption  of 
the  new  Constitution.  But  the  original  movers  of  the  reformation  were 
troubled  with  no  such  apprehensions.     They  did  mil  at  all  doubt  the  sue- 


464  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

cess  of  the  trial,  for  they  were  sure  that  there  would  be  a  smaller  at- 
tendance of  Past  Masters  and  a  larger  one  of  representatives. 

The  Annual  Communication  commenced  at  meridian  on  the  20th  of 
November,  1860,  in  the  town  of  Greenville. 

Seventy  Lodges  were  represented  by  their  officers,  or  their  regularly 
appointed  delegates,  which  was  a  greater  number  than  had  ever  before 
been  collected  on  the  floor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  since  its  organization. 
Very  few  Past  Masters  were  present.  3  hus  the  result  already  justified 
the  calculations  of  the  reformers  on  both  these  points. 

Brother  Henry  Buist,  the  Grand  Master,  delivered  an  able  address, 
which  embraced  his  views  on  many  important  subjects,  all  of  which 
were  referred  to  appropriate  committees,  and  most  of  which  were  acted 
on  by  the  Grand  Lodge  previous  to  its  adjournment. 

In  reference  to  the  proposed  Constitution,  the  Grand  Master  made 
the  following  remarks: 

"I  do  not  use  inappropriate  language,  when  I  say  that  we  have  only 
at  this  time  a  fragmentary  system  of  law,  made  up  of  parts  of  au  old 
and  part  of  a  new  policy,  which  in  principle  are  irreconcilable.  It 
behooves  us,  therefore,  to  apply  ourselves  with  earnestness  to  this 
subject,  and  our  duties  would  not  be  properly  discharged  were  we  to 
adjourn  before  we  perfected  a  system  of  constitutional  rules  which  is 
harmonious  in  all  its  parts." 

He  expressed  his  condemnation  of  the  too  great  increase  of  in- 
itiations, and  emphatically  said  that  "  he  is  no  friend  to  the  Institution 
who  would  endeavor  to  open  its  portals  indiscriminately,  or  be  a  par- 
ticipant in  the  wholesale  manufacture  of  Masons." 

He  recommended  the  establishment  of  a  Relief  Lodge  in  the  city  of 
Charleston,  similar  to  the  one  which  had  been  for  some  years  in  ex- 
istence in  the  city  of  New  Orleans. 

The  Grand  Master  also  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  members  the 
advantages  that  would  result  from  the  patronage  of  Masonic  periodicals 
and  other  Masonic  works,  and  the  establishment  of  Lodge  libraries. 
His  remarks  on  the  latter  subject  are  well  worth  preservation. 

"If  there  is  one  thing  more  than  another  which  is  at  this  time 
claiming  the  attention  of  those  who  are  most  deeply  interested  in  the 
welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  Institution,  it  is  the  diffusion  of  light 
and  intelligence  among  its  votaries.  The  time  has  passed  when  the 
intelligence  of  a  Mason  is  to  be  tested  by  his  familiarity  with  the  mere 
forms  and  ceremonies  of  the  degrees.     He  who  does  not  drink  deeply 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  4.(55 

of  the  living  waters  of  Masonry,  who  does  not  indoctrinate  himself  in 
its  principles,  and  regard  it  as  a  science,  can  little  expect  ever  to  know 
or  appreciate  it.  He  who  expects  to  make  himself  a  useful  Mason, 
must  be  one  who  will  study  it.  A  mere  gleaner  and  gatherer  in  its  fields 
cannot  ever  hope  to  accomplish  anything  of  consequence  or  value. 
One  of  the  first  prerequisites  to  the  proper  organization  of  every 
Lodge,  is  the  collection  of  such  standard  works  on  Masonic  subjects  as 
are  accessible  and  would  be  of  interest  and  advantage.  For  this 
purpose  let  Lodge  libraries  be  instituted,  and  place  within  the  reach  of 
every  one  who  is  brought  into  the  Masonic  fold,  the  opportunity  of 
becoming  versed  in  its  mysteries  and  appreciating  and  understanding 
them." 

The  Grand  Master  announced  that  during  the  past  year  he  had 
granted  dispensations  for  opening  six  new  Lodges,  to  all  of  which 
warrants  were  subsequently  granted. 

The  Grand  Treasurer's  report  showed  that  the  income  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  during  the  past  year  had  beeu  $7,095  88,  and  its  disbursements 
$6,896  58,  leaving  a  balance  of  8198  80  in  baud  at  the  close  of  the 
year. 

The  Grand  Secretary  made  his  annual  report  as  usual,  containing  a 
brief  resumi  of  the  transactions  of  the  Order  in  other  jurisdictions  for 
the  past  year. 

The  recommendations  and  suggestions  of  the  Grand  Master,  new 
motions  offered  by  various  delegates,  and  the  amended  Constitution, 
gave  ample  occasion  for  reports  of  committees  and  for  the  discussion  of 
questions,  so  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  busily  employed  for  four  days. 

The  new  Constitution  was  taken  up  on  the  second  day,  and  the  d  s- 
cussion  continued  through  the  third,  at  the  end  of  which  the  Constitu- 
tion, as  reported  in  1859  by  the  committee,  was  adopted  without 
material  alteration,  in  most  cases  unanimously,  and  in  all  others  I  y  tri- 
umphant majorities. 

1  he  only  severe  contest  was  on  the  second  and  third  sections,  which 
disfranchised  Past  Masters  of  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  although 
they  were  still  permitted,  uuder  certain  regulations,  to  be  present  and 
to  take  part  in  the  discussions.  Attempts  were  made  to  modify,  if  not 
to  repeal,  these  sections,  but  without  success;  more  than  two-thirds 
of  the  delegates  had  come  there  resolved  that  Past  Masters  should  no 
longer  be  permitted  to  oppose  by  their  votes  those  of  the  represent- 
atives of  the  Lodges,  and  the  two  sections  were  adopted  precisely  as 
the)  had  been  reported  by  the  committee.  No  difficulty  was  experi- 
30 


466  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

t:nced  in  the  passage  of  the  remaining  sections,  and  the  new  Constitu- 
tion was  finally  adopted  as  the  supreme  Masonic  law  of  South  Carolina, 
on  the  22d  of  November,  1860. 

The  committee  on  uniformity  of  work,  which  had  been  appointed  in 
the  preceding  year,  and  which  had  asked  for  permission  to  sit  during 
the  recess,  made  a  report  which  recommended  that  at  each  Communi- 
cation of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  Grand  Officers  should  be  constituted 
into  a  Lodge  of  Instruction  to  communicate  the  work  and  lectures  to 
the  representatives  present.  As  this  was,  however,  but  an  attempt  to 
renew  those  Lodges  of  Instruction  which  the  repeated  experience  of 
past  years  had  shown  to  be  utterly  worthless,  and  as  the  committee  had 
made  no  provision  by  which  the  Grand  Officers  were  first  to  acquire 
the  knowledge  which  they  were  to  be  called  on  to  impart,  the  Grand 
Lodge  simply  received  the  report  as  information,  and  discharged  the 
committee. 

Subsequently,  in  the  course  of  the  Communication,  Bro.  A.  G. 
Mackey,  who  had  been  originally  elected  Grand  Lecturer,  in  1845,  and 
who  had  served  in  that  office  ever  since,  was  formally  reappointed 
Grand  Lecturer  of  the  State. 

On  the  subject  of  the  connection  of  the  Grand  Lodge  with  Collegi- 
ate Institutions,  the  report  of  a  committee  was  adopted,  which  consid- 
ered it  unwise  and  impolitic  to  enter  into  any  such  connection.  In 
consequence,  the  Grand  Lodge  subsequently  refused  to  take  any  per- 
manent interest  in  the  concerns  of  the  Cokesbury  Masonic  Female 
College. 

The  committee  on  the  suggestion  of  the  Grand  Master  in  reference 
to  Lodge  Libraries,  recommended  that  every  Lodge,  that  could,  should 
procure  a  Lodge  Library,  and  the  recommendation  was  adopted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

The  suggestion  of  the  Grand  Master  in  reference  to  a  Relief  Lodge 
in  Charleston,  was  also  acted  on,  and  a  resolution  was  adopted,  recom- 
mending the  Lodges  in  Charleston  to  take  the  necessary  measures 
for  the  establishment  of  such  a  body.  But  the  troubled  condition  of 
political  affairs  in  the  State,  which  almost  immediately  followed,  has 
prevented  the  recommendation  from  being  carried  into  effect. 

The  Grand  Master  having  expressed  his  determination  to  withdraw 
from  office,  resolutions  approving  of  his  conduct  during  his  adminis- 
tration were  unanimously  adopted,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
have  a  Past  Master's  jewel  prepared,  and  to  present  him  with  the  same 
durins;  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge.     The  order  of   the   Grand 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  4(37 

Lodge  was  subsequently  complied  with,  and  the  jewel  was  presented  to 
Brother  Buist  by  Brother  David  Ramsay,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  at  a 
meeting  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  held  at  Charleston  on  the  4th  of 
June,  1861. 

Recovery  Lodge  No.  31,  in  whose  hall  the  Grand  Lodge  was  holding 
its  Communications,  had  invited  the  Grand  Master,  in  the  course  of 
the  previous  summer,  to  deliver  a  public  address  on  Freemasonry  before 
the  citizens  of  Greenville  during  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Brother  Buist  having  accepted  the  invitation,  the  Grand  Lodge  re- 
solved to  walk  in  procession  to  the  place  of  delivery,  and  accordingly 
on  Thursday,  23d  of  November,  a  procession  was  formed  under  the 
direction  of  Brother  Peter  K.  Coburn,  Grand  Marshal,  consisting  of 
the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  those  of  Recovery  Lodge  No. 
31,  with  several  visiting  brethren,  which  moved  to  the  Court  House, 
where,  in  the  presence  of  a  numerous  body  of  auditors,  and  after 
divine  service  by  Rev.  Brothers  B.  Johnson,  Grand  Chaplain,  and  T. 
S.  Arthur,  Past  Grand  Chaplain,  an  eloquent  address  was  delivered  by 
M.  W.  Brother  Henry  Buist,  Grand  Master;  after  which  the  proces- 
sion returned  to  the  Lodge  room,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  reopened, 
and  a  copy  of  the  address  was  requested  for  publication.  With  this 
request,  however,  I  regret  to  say,  that  the  author  has  not  yet  complied. 

The  representative  system  had,  since  its  first  recommendation,  many 
years  ago,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  received  the  favorable 
consideration  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  and,  from  time 
to  time,  representatives  to  and  from  sister  jurisdictions  had  been  ap- 
pointed or  recognized.  At  the  present  Communication,  Brother 
Albert  G.  Mackey  presented  his  credentials,  as  the  representative  of 
the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodges  of  Louisiana,  Iowa  and  Kansas,  near  the  M. 
W.  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  He  was  duly  recognized  and 
welcomed  as  such;  and  it  was  resolved,  that  the  Grand  Master  be 
authorized,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  appoint  represen- 
tatives to  the  Graud  Lodges  of  Louisiana,  Iowa  and  Kansas,  and  to 
such  other  Grand  Lodges  as  should  be  willing  to  reciprocate  the 
courtesy,  and  the  Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  issue  the  commis- 
sions for  the  same  under  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

An  itinerant  lecturer  from  some  of  the  western  States,  an  illiterate 
person,  with  very  incorrect  notions  of  the  ritual,  had,  during  the  past 
year,  visited  several  of  the  Lodges  in  remote  districts,  and  done  much 
harm  by  the  inculcation  of  his  crude  notions.  This  subject  was 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  Grand  Master,  and 


408  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

referred  to  a  committee,  which  recommended  that  such  lecturers  should 
be  discountenanced  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  the  Subordinate 
Lodges  should  be  directed  to  hold  no  communication  with  itinerant 
lecturers,  nor  to  engage  any  of  them  to  exemplify  the  work  in  the  first 
three  degrees.  The  recommendation  of  the  committee  was  adopted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  present  work,  which  had  been  completed  by  the  author  to  the 
year  1859,  was  laid  before  the  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee, upon  whose  recommendation  it  was  accepted  and  ordered  to  be 
published  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  "Ahiman  Rezon,"  or  "Book  of  Constitutions,"  which  had  been 
compiled  in  1852,  being  now  out  of  print,  the  compiler  was  author- 
ized to  publish  a  new  edition. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  new  clothing  and  jewels  for 
the  Grand  Lodge,  a  provision  that  was  necessary  in  consequence  of  the 
changes  that  had  been  made  in  these  articles  by  the  new  Constitution. 

On  the  21st  of  November  the  Grand  Officers  were  elected.  Brother 
Benjamin  Rush  Campbell  was  elected  Grand  Master.  On  the  follow- 
ing day  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  were  installed,  the  Grand 
Master  elect  having  been  first  installed  by  the  late  Grand  Master,  and 
the  former  then  installing  the  remaining  officers. 

The  following  were  the  Grand  and  Subordinate  Officers  elected  and 
appointed  to  serve  until  the  Annual  Communication  in  November,  1861: 

B.  Rush  Campbell,  Laurens,  Grand  Master  ; 

David  Ramsay,  Charleston,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

T.  P.  Slider,  Newberry,  Senior  Grand  Warden; 

D.  J.  BARNETT,  Williamston,  Junior  Grand  Warden  ; 

J.  H.  Honour,  Charleston,  Grand  Treasurer; 

A.  G.  Mackey,  Charleston,  Grand  Secretary  ; 

J.  C.  Williams,  Cokesbury,  Grand  Chaplain ; 

J.  T.  Robertson,  Abbeville,  )„.'-, 

t  Senior  Grand  Deacons ; 


R.  Anderson,  C  lumbia, 

S.  G.  Mobley,  Edgefield, 

D.  W.  Hawthorne,  Due  West 

P.  K.  Coburn,  Charleston,  Grand  Marshal; 

T.  H.  Pitts,  Clinton,    Grand  Pursuivant ; 

George  Seaborn,  Pendleton, 

J.  H.  Nash,  Beaufort, 

Samuel  Burkk,  Charleston,  Grand  Tiler; 

A.  G.  Mackey,  Charleston,  Grand  Lecturer 


>  Junior  Grand  Deacons; 


r  Grand  Stewards; 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  469 

Warrants  of  constitution  were  granted  during  the  session  to  the  fol- 
lowing Lodges,  which  had  been  acting  under  the  dispensation  of  the 
Grand  Master : 

Mt.  Moriah  No.  58,  at  White  Plains;  Blackville  No.  63,  at  Black- 
ville;  Frauklin  No.  96,  at  Charleston;  Coleman  No.  97,  at  Feaster- 
ville;  American  No.  98,  at  Gillisunville ;  Star  No.  99,  at  Granite- 
ville;  31outicello  No.  100,  at  Monticcllo;  Ebeuezer  No.  101,  at 
Marietta. 

On  Friday  morning,  the  23d  of  November,  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
closed,  having  previously  resolved  to  hold  its  next  Annual  Communica- 
tion in  November,  1861,  at  the  city  of  Columbia. 


470  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    LIV. 

ROYAL  ARCH  MASONRY  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

The  researches  of  modern  writers  have  established  the  fact  that, 
until  the  year  1740,  the  Royal  Arch  degree  did  not  hold  a  substantive 
and  distinct  position  as  an  independent  degree  in  the  ritual  of 
Masonry.  Its  essential  element  constituted  a  component  part  of  the 
Master  Mason's  degree,  and  was,  in  fact,  its  crowning  or  concluding 
portion.  It  was,  therefore,  not  a  degree,  but  the  complement  of  a 
degree — was  not  conferred  under  a  separate  jurisdiction,  but  in  a 
Master's  Lodge — and  was,  therefore,  intimately  connected  with  sym- 
bolic Masonry  in  all  its  ritualistic  teachings. 

One  consequence  of  this  condition  of  things,  has  been  to  make  the 
early  history  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  in  any  part  of  the  world  where 
the  York  rite  is  practiced,  utterly  inaccessible.  One  might  as  well 
expect  to  find  materials  for  writing  a  history  of  the  Entered  Appren- 
tice's degree,  as  that  of  the  Royal  Arch.  We  may  discover  ample 
documents  illustrative  of  the  history  of  the  Order  and  of  the  origin 
and  growth  of  particular  Lodges  in  many  jurisdictions,  but  there  is  no 
basis  of  information  on  which  the  historian  can  build  a  history  of  the 
progress  of  any  one  of  the  degrees  conferred  in  such  Lodges. 

In  America,  Royal  Arch  Chapters  did  not  begin  to  present  them- 
selves as  independent  bodies  and  subjects  of  history,  until  near  the  end 
of  the  last  century.  The  first  Grand  Chapter  in  the  United  States  was 
established  in  the  year  1798,*  but  seven  years  elapsed  before  a  Chapter 
of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  independent  of  symbolic  Masonry,  was  organ- 
ized in  South  Carolina,"j*  and  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  was  not 
established  until  fourteen  years  afterwards. 

During  all  this  time  the  Royal  Arch  degree  was  conferred  in  South 
Carolina,  as  in  the  neighboring  State  of  Georgia,  in  Chapters  dependent 
on,  and  deriving  their  authority  from,  Master  Mason's  warrants.     I 

*  See  French's  Compend.  of  Gen.  G.  Chap.,  p.  8. 

f  In  1803  there  was  a  body  in  Charleston  called  the  "  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Charleston,"  which  worked  under  the  authority  of  the  warrant  of  Orange  Lodge 
No.  14.     See  note,  infra. 


SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

have,  in  years  past,  made  the  acquaintance  of  several  old  Royal  Arch 
Masons  in  the  upper  part  of  the  State,  who  had  in  this  way  received 
the  degree.  The  long  period  which  had  elapsed  since  their  withdrawal 
from  the  active  pursuits  of  Masonry,  and  the  loss  of  memory  attendant 
on  their  extreme  age,  have  prevented  them  from  furnishing  me  all  the 
particulars  in  reference  to  the  history  of  the  ritual  which  1  would  have 
desired,  but  I  learned  enough  from  m}r  frequent  conversations  with 
these  Patriarchs  of  the  Order,  (all  of  whom  I  think  have  now  suc- 
ceeded to  their  heritage  in  the  Celestial  Lodge,)  to  enable  me  to  state 
positively  that  in  the  upper  Districts  of  South  Carolina,  at  as  late  a 
period  as  the  year  1813,  the  Royal  Arch  degree  was  conferred  in 
Chapters  holden  under  the  authority  of  Master's  warrauts.  The  same 
condition  of  things  existed  in  the  neighboring  State  of  Georgia.  I 
have,  in  relation  to  the  old  Georgia  Chapters,  been  enabled  to 
strengthen  the  position  by  that  documentary  evidcuco  which  is  so  es- 
sentially necessary  in  all  history,  and  yet  so  difficult  to  be  obtained  in 
Masonic  history.  Some  years  since  I  was  indebted  to  the  kindness  of 
Comp.  ]>.  B.  Russell,  of  Augusta,  for  an  inspection  of  a  manuscript 
volume  bearing  the  title  of  "Minutes  of  Royal  Arch  Chapter  No.  1, 
under  the  sanction  of  Forsyth's  Lodge  No.  14,  on  the  registry  of 
Georgia,"  which  body  met  in  the  city  of  Augusta.  The  record  is 
restricted  to  the  year  1796,  but  it  contains  ample  evidence  of  the  fact 
that  no  special  warraut  from  the  Grand  Lodge  or  any  other  body  was 
requisite  lor  holding  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons.* 

Oral  information  has  satisfied  me  that  the  same  usage  existed  at  that 
time   in  South   Carolina, |  and  hence  that  it  is  useless  to  look  for  any 


'  These  records  state  that  the  Chapter  at  Savannah  having  announced  its 
intention  of  applying  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  for  a  dispensation  or  war- 
rant, a  letter  was  written  to  the  Companions  of  Savannah  by  the  Chapter  at 
Augusta,  on  the  -JTtli  of  May,  1796,  in  which  the  following  declaration  appears: 

"  If  there  is  any  rule  or  by-law  that  requires  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter  to  apply  for 
a  special  dispensation  or  warrant,  it  is  unknown  to  us.  We  conceive  that  the 
warrant  given  to  Forsyth's  Lodge  was  sufficient  for  the  members  thereof  to  con- 
fer any  degree  in  Masonry  agreeable  to  the  ancient  usages  and  customs." 

f  The  following  extract  from  the  records  of  Orange  Lodge  No.  14,  in  the 
city  of  Charleston,  under  the  date  of  July  11,  1796,  Shows  the  existence  of  a 
similar  usage,  in  the  York  Lodges  at  least,  in  this  Stale.  "Amotion  was  made 
and  agreed  to  thai  this  Lodge  sanction  the  opening  of  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
under  its  jurisdiction."  And  again  on  January  3,  1803,  it  was  "  resolved  that  the 
privilege  of  the  warrant  of  this  Lodge  he  granted  for  the  use  of  the  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  of  Charleston."     Hitter  I    /<>    By-Laws    of    Orange 

■ 


472  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

history  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry  distinct  from  that  of  the  symbolic 
degrees,  until  the  introduction  of  independent  Chapters  by  the  Grand 
Chapter  of  the  Northern  States. 

It  will,  however,  be  seen  in  a  subsequent  part  of  this  work,  that  the 
Mark  degree  was  conferred  in  Charleston  in  1803,  under  a  warrant 
granted  by  a  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  which  body,  in 
turn,  derived  its  authority  from  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Rite. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1805,  the  OfBcers  of  the  General  Grand  Chap- 
ter of  the  United  States  (then  called  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of 
the  Northern  States)  granted  a  warrant  for  the  establishment  of  a 
Chapter  in  the  town  uf  Beaufort,  to  be  known  as  "  Unity  Chapter  No. 
3."  This  was,  therefore,  the  first  independent  Chapter  which  was  ever 
organized  in  South  Carolina.  This  action  of  the  General  Grand  Offi- 
cers was  approved  by  the  General  Grand  Chapter  at  its  septennial 
meeting  in  180G,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  and  made  permanent. 

At  the  same  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  a  petition  was 
presented  from  Br^an  Sweeny  and  others,  of  the  city  of  Charleston, 
praying  for  a  charter  to  authorize  them  to  open  a  Chapter  in  the  said 
city.  A  charter  was  not,  however,  given,  because  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  resolved  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the  pe- 
tition, inasmuch  as  it  was  not  accompanied  by  any  recommendation  from 
an  adjacent  Chapter.* 

I  find  no  further  mention  of  this  Chapter  in  the  subsequent  proceed- 
ings of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  but  as  there  were  three  Chapters 
existing  in  Charleston  in  1812,  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the 
Grand  Chapter,  namely,  Carolina,  Unity  and  Union;  as  we  also  know 
that  Unity  and  Union  Chapters  received  their  original  warrants  under 
the  authority  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter;  and  finally,  as  the  pre- 
amble to  the  first  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  South  Carolina 
states  that  the  three  Chapters  which  formed  it  had  been  "regularly 
■warrauted  by  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  of  New 
York  and  by  the  authority  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of  the  United 
States/'-f  it  follows  that  Carolina  Chapter  received  its  warrant  from  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  New  York,  and  was  most  probably  the  very  Chapter 


*  Compendium  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  p.  37.  Is  it 
not  nor.'  than  probable  that  the  petitioners  were  members  of  the  Chapter,  which 
the  preceding  note  says  was  working  under  the  warrant  of  Orange  Lodge? 

f  Co.Htitutioa  and  Reg  llations  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  State 
of  South  Carolina:  Charleston,  1812,  p.  8. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  473 

the  petition  for  whose  warrant  was  refused  on  account  of  informality  by 
the  General  Grand  Chapter  in  1806. 

Carolina  Chapter  No.  15,*  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
New  York,  was  then  the  second  Chapter  formed  in  South  Carolina,  and 
the  date  of  its  warrant  was  between  the  years  1806  and  1811,  probably 
in  1807,  as  it  is  to  be  supposed  that  the  companions,  who  had  failed  to 
obtain  their  charter  in  1806  from  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  would 
delay  as  little  as  possible  in  making  their  application  to  another  quar- 
ter. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  1811,  a  warrant  was  granted  by  the  General 
Grand  Officers  to  James  Galloway,  David  Twing  and  George  A.  Fisher, 
to  open  a  Chapter  in  Charleston,  to  be  designated  as  Union  Chapter 
No.  5. 

There  being  now  three  Chapters  in  the  State,  namely,  Caroliua  Chap- 
ter No.  15,  at  Charleston,  deriving  its  warrant  from  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  New  York;  and  Unity  Chapter  No.  8,  at  Beaufort,  and  Union  Chap- 
ter No.  5,  at  Charleston,  bath  deriving  their  tvarrauts  from  the  General 
Graud  Chapter  of  the  United  States  ;  these  three  bodies  met  in  conven- 
tion at  Charleston  on  the  29th  of  May,  1812,  and  formed  the  "Grand 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina." 

The  establishment  of  the  Graud  Chapter  was  formally  approved  of 
by  Thomas  Smith  Webb,  the  General  Grand  King,  on  the  21st  of  Sep- 
tember, 1812,  and  his  proclamation  of  recognition,  duly  sealed  with  the 
seal  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  signed  by  himself  and  by  Otis  Am- 
midon,  the  General  Grand  Secretary,  and  properly  engrossed  on  parch- 
ment, was  duly  forwarded  to  Charleston,  and  is  still  preserved  in  the 
archives  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

As  soon  as  the  Grand  Chapter  was  organized  new  warrants  were 
issued  to  its  three  constituent  Chapters,  according  to  the  following 
precedency  :  Caroliua  Chapter  became  No.  1,  Unity  Chapter  No.  2, 
and  Union  Chapter  No.  3. 

From  the  period  of  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  to  the 
year  1820,  Royal  Arch  Masonry  appears  to  have  made  slow  but  certain 
progress  in  the  State,  and  seven  more  Chapters  were  added  to  the  three 
which  had  originally  existed.  In  1826  the  following  Chapters  were  on 
the  registry  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  although  some  of  them  were  even 
then  beginning  to  give  evidence  of  decay  and  loss  of  zeal  : 

*  This  is  the  Dumber  by  which  it  is  designated  in  the  oripinal  Constitution  of  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  South  Carolina. 


474  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Carolina  Chapter  No.  1,  at  Charleston; 

Unity  Chapter  No.  2,  Beaufort; 

Union  Chapter  No.  3,  Charleston; 

Rising  Star  Chapter  No.  4,  Camden  ; 

Columbia  Chapter  No.  5,  Columbia; 

Constancia  Recta  Chapter  No.  6,      Havana,  Cuba;* 

Burning  Bush  Chapter  No.  7,  Greenville ; 

Washington  Chapter  No.  8,  Georgetown ;    . 

Franklin  Chapter  No.  9,  Chester; 

LaFayette  Chapter  No.  10,  Cheraw. 

From  this  time,  and  for  many  years  afterward,  Royal  Arch  Masonry 
lost  its  prestige  among  the  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  and  although  the 
Grand  Chapter  did  not  cease,  until  1833,  to  hold  its  two  semi-annual 
Convocations,  its  minutes  do  not  record,  after  the  year  1827,  the 
presence  of  the  representatives  of  more  than  three  Chapters  at  any  one 
of  these  Convocations,  and  in  1829  it  was  found  necessary  to  alter  the 
Constitution  so  as  to  make  two  Chapters  a  quorum. 

The  three  Chapters  which  continued  thus  manfully  to  stand  by  the 
apparently  sinking  ship,  were  Carolina  and  Union  Chapters  at  Charles- 
ton, and  Franklin  Chapter  at  Chester.  At  length,  in  1830,  the  last  of 
these  bodies  was  compelled  to  succumb  to  the  pressure  of  circum- 
stances, and  it  received  permission  to  suspend,  temporarily,  until  such 
time  as  it  would  be  found  convenient  to  resume  its  meetings.  But 
Franklin  Chapter  was  never  revived,  although,  many  years  afterwards, 
a  new  Chapter  bearing  its  name,  but  not  its  number,  was  established 
at  the  same  place. 

It  was  while  the  Grand  Chapter  of  South  Carolina  was  thus  itself 
on  the  eve  of  dissolution,  that  a  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted")" 
declaring  that  "  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  the  State  of  South 
Carolina  considers   the  General  Grand  Royal   Arch  Chapter  of   the 


*  In  the  report  of  a  committee  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  on  the  3d  of  March, 
1827,  the  following  notice  is  taken  of  this  Chapter:  "Constancia  Recta  No.  6, 
formerly  in  existence  at  Havana,  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  has  not  been  heard  from 
for  five  years  past,  and,  owing  to  the  arbitrary  and  tyrannical  laws  of  Ferdinand 
VII.,  the  present -Monarch  of  Spain,  it  dare  not  assemble  or  hold  any  meetings 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  The  committee,  therefore,  recommend  that,  in 
future,  it  be  considered  extinct,  and  no  further  notice  be  taken  of  it  on  the  books 
of  the  Grand  Chapter." 

f  Records  23  July,  1829.     Twelve  members  were  present  at  the  meeting. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  475 

United  States  of  America  a  useless  body,  and,  therefore,  recommends 
its  dissolution." 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  as  this  was  the  first,  so  was  it  the  last,  attack 
made  on  the  General  Grand  Chapter  in  this  State.  Since  the  revival 
of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  its  subsequent  growth  in  sti'ength  and 
influence,  all  that  strength  and  influence  have  been  steadily  employed  in 
supporting  the  existence  and  the  authority  of  the  General  Grand 
body. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1833,  there  was  an  Annual  Convocation. 
The  representatives  of  only  two  Chapters  were  pi-esent,  namely,  of 
Carolina  and  of  Franklin,  and  the  latter  of  these  bodies  had  been  sus- 
pended for  several  years,  and,  therefore,  was  not  legally  in  existence. 
The  Grand  Chapter  nevertheless  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Grand 
Officers  and  was  then  closed.  It  was  not  again  opened  for  eight  years. 
Royal  Arch  Masonry  was,  at  length,  extinct,  or,  at  least,  in  a  profound 
sleep  in  South  Carolina. 

Several  causes  conspired  to  produce  this  lamentable  result.  Royal 
Arch  Masonry  had  never  taken  a  very  elevated  position  in  the  juris- 
diction, nor  were  its  degrees  ever  cultivated  with  much  assiduity  by 
the  enquiring  Masons  who  lived  between  the  time  of  the  formation  of 
the  Grand  Chapter  and  that  of  its  dissolution,  and  who,  from  local 
causes,  were  rather  led  to  attach  themselves  to  the  degrees  of  the  An- 
cient and  Accepted  Rite.  The  condition  of  the  whole  Order  about  the 
year  1833,  was  far  from  prosperous;  the  Subordinate  Lodges  were  few 
in  number,  and  in  Charleston  neither  they  nor  the  Grand  Lodge  were 
in  possession  of  a  fixed  and  convenient  Hall.  And  lastly,  the  scourge 
of  anti-masonry,  which  had  swept  like  a  besom  of  destruction  over  all 
of  the  Northern  and  many  of  the  Southern  States,  though  dealing  more 
gently  with  the  Institution  in  South  Carolina,  had  not  permitted  it 
even  there  to  go  altogether  unscathed.  To  these  combined  influences 
the  Grand  Chapter  was  compelled  to  yield,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  was 
forced  to  suspend  its  labors. 

In  1843  Masonry  in  Charleston  began  to  experience  a  revival,  by 
the  building  of  a  Hall,  and  Royal  Arch  Masonry  enjoyed  the  benefit 
of  the  reinvigoratcd  zeal.  On  the  25th  of  February,  1841,  the  Graud 
Chapter  of  South  Carolina  was  reopened  at  the  Masonic  Hall  in  Charles- 
ton. Comp.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  the  last  Grand  High  Priest,  was  not  in 
the  city,  but  the  chair  was  taken  by  Comp.  W.  S.  King,  who  had  been 
elected  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  at  the  last  Convocation.  Caro- 
lina and  Union  Chapters,  which  had  during  the  long  recess  maintained 


476  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

a  feeble  and  only  formnl  existeuce,  were  represented.  The  Grand 
Chapter  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers,  and  Coinp.  II.  G.  Street, 
to  whose  exertions  the  Grand  Chapter  was  chiefly  indebted  for  its  re- 
vival, was  elected  Grand  High  Priest. 

During  that  and  the  succeeding  two  years,  the  Grand  Chapter  re- 
ceived no  accession  of  Subordinates,  but  in  1844  warrants  were  granted 
for  three  new  Chapters :  Rising  Star  No.  4,  at  Camden ;  Florida  No. 
4,  at  St.  Augustiue,  Florida  ;*  aud  Rising  Sun  No.  6,  at  Winnsboro. 

In  granting  a  warrant  for  the  establishment  of  a  Chapter  in  the  ter- 
ritory of  Florida,  it  has  to  be  acknowledged  that  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
South  Carolina  exceeded  her  constitutional  powers,  and  illegally  inter- 
fered with  the  prerogatives  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter.  When 
subsequently  a  Grand  Chapter  was  formed  in  Florida,  and  application 
was  made  by  it  for  admission  into  the  confederation  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter,  much  embarrassment  was  occasioned  by  this  conflict  of 
jurisdictions.  The  General  Grand  Chapter,  justly,  as  I  think,  required 
that  the  Chapter  at  St.  Augustine  should  make  its  returns  and  pay  its 
dues,  from  the  time  of  its  organization,  to  that  body,  which  would  then 
grant  a  new  charter  and  legalize  its  work.  The  Grand  Chapter  of 
Florida  was,  however,  unwilling  to  accede  to  these  propositions,  under 
the  conviction  that  whatever  might  have  been  the  irregularities  which 
had  existed  in  the  original  organization  of  Florida  Chapter,  in  St. 
Augustine,  they  were  matters  to  be  settled  by  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  with  the  Grand  Chapter  of  South  Carolina  and  not  with  that 
of  Florida.  The  misunderstanding  has  not  yet  been  arranged,  and 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  Florida  never  has,  a  second  time,  proposed  a 
union  with  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  as  its  first  proposition  was  not 
at  cnce  acceded  to  for  the  reasons  which  have  been  just  detailed. 

In  1845  a  dispensation  was  granted  to  Columbia  Chapter  No.  5,  at 
Columbia,  but,  notwithstanding  the  apparent  promise  of  a  more  pros- 
perous era  in  the  history  of  Masonry  in  the  State,  the  time  of  a  revival 
seemed  not  yet  to  have  arrived.  The  Chapter  at  St.  Augustine  with- 
drew to  unite  with  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Fdorida,  the  Chapter  at 
Winnsboro,  having  fallen  into  incompetent  hands,  became  extinct,  and 
those  at  Camden  and  Columbia,  owing,  most  probably,  to  an  insuffi- 
ciency of  zeal  or  want  of  attention,  on  the  part  of  the  original 
members,  were  compelled,  for  some  years,  to  struggle  for  existence. 

Yet,  with  all  these  discouragements,  the  progress  of  the  Order  was 

*  Camden  Chapter  neglected  to  take  its  warrant,  and  the  number  was  given  to 
Florida  Chapter. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


477 


still  onward.  From  1846  there  was  no  bad; ward  movement.  Royal 
Arch  Masonry  at  first  pained  strength  slowly-  but  surely,  and  afterwards 
with  more  rapidity.  From  the  year  1 845  to  1860  twenty-three  new 
Chapters  have  been  instituted,  nearly  all  of  which  are  still  iu  existence, 
and  many  of  them  are  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition.  In  February, 
1861,  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Sunt!;  Caroliua  preseuted 
the  following  list  of  subordinates: 


Carolina  Chapter  No.  1, 
Flint  Hill  Chapter  No.  2, 
Union  Chapter  No.  3, 
Rising  Star  Chapter  No.  4, 
Columbia  Chapter  No.  5, 
Rising  Sun  Chapter  No.  G, 


Charleston. 
Fairfield  District. 
Charleston. 
Camden. 

Columbia. 
Laurensville. 


Burning  Bush  Chapter  No.  7,    Anderson. 


Bezaleel  Chapter  No.  8, 
Orient  Chapter  No.  9, 
La  Fayette  Chapter  No.  10, 
Zerubbabel  Chapter  No.  11, 
Germania  Chapter  No.  12, 
Eureka  Chapter  No.  13, 
Franklin  Chapter  No.  14, 
Maekey  Chapter  No.  15, 
Poinsett  Chapter  No.  16, 
Hesperiau  Chapter  No.  17, 
Signet  Chapter  No.  18, 
Keystone  Chapter  No.  19, 
Delta  Chapter  No.  20, 


Edgefield. 
Cokesbury. 
Darlington.     Extinct. 
Charleston. 
Charleston. 
Orangeburg. 
Chester. 
Yorkville. 

Union.      Suspended, 
Abbeville. 
Newberry. 
Lancaster. 
Ruford's  Bridge. 


Living  Arch  Chapter  No.  21,  Pendleton. 

Cyrus  Chapter  No.  22,  Greenville. 

Excelsior  Chapter  No.  23,  Cheraw. 

Washington  Chapter  No.  24,  Bamberg. 

Beulah  Chapter  No.  25,  Sumter. 

I  trust  that  I  may  be  pardoned  for  my  just  pride  in  saying  that, 
with  the  exception  of  the  two  Chapters  which  I  found  in  existence  on 
my  first  admission  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  two  subsequently  estab- 
lished in  Charleston,  I  may  claim  the  paternity  of  every  other  Chapter 
instituted  in  South  Carolina  since  the  year  l!>45.  On  my  election  as 
Grand  Lecturer  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  in  that,  year,  1  resolved  to 
devote  myself  to  the  extension  of  the  lloyul  Order  iu  the  jurisdiction, 


478 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


and,  during  the  subsequent  years,  from  1845  to  1861,  in  which  I  have 
successively  served  in  the  offices  of  Grand  Lecturer,  Deputy  Grand  and 
then  Grand  High  Priest,  I  have  been  personally  present  and  organized 
every  Chapter  in  the  State,  with  the  four  exceptions  above  mentioned. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Grand  High  Priests  and  their  Deputies, 
who  have  presided  over  Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  South  Carolina  from 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter  in  1812  to  the  year  1861  : 


YEAR. 

GRAND    HIGH   PRIESTS. 

DEPUTY   GRAND    HIGH   PRIESTS. 

1812 

William  Young. 

James  Galloway. 

1813 

William  Young. 

James  Galloway. 

1814  ' 

William  Young. 

James  Galloway. 

1815 

Edward  Hughes. 

J.  J.  Wright. 

1816 

William  Young. 

Alex.  England. 

1817 

William  Young. 

Alex.  England. 

1818 

William  Young. 

James  Evans. 

1819 

William  Young. 

Joel  R.  Poinsett. 

1820 

William  Young. 

Joel  R.  Poinsett. 

1821 

Joel  11.  Poinsett. 

William  Young. 

1822 

Joel  R.  Poinsett. 

William  Young. 

1823 

Joel  R.  Poinsett. 

Richard  Maynard. 

1824 

John  L.  Wilson. 

John  R.  Rogers. 

1825 

John  L.  Wilson. 

C.  C  Sebring. 

1826 

John  L.  Wilson. 

George  Cuthbert. 

1827 

James  Eyland. 

John  McKee. 

1828 

James  Eyland. 

E.  H.  Maxcy. 

1829 

James  Eyland. 

Alex.  McDonald. 

1830 

Alex.  McDonald. 

E.  S.  Courtenay. 

1831 

John  M.  Rogers. 

W.  S.  King. 

1832 

John  M.  Rogers. 

George  B.  Eckhardt. 

1833 

Joel  R.  Poinsett. 

W.  S.  King. 

The  Grand  Chapter 

was  suspended  until  1841. 

1841 

H.  G.  Street. 

John  H.  Honour. 

1842 

H.  G.  Street. 

John  H.  Honour. 

1843 

John  H.  Honour. 

Albert  Case. 

1844 

John  H.  Honour. 

Albert  Case. 

1845 

John  H.  Honour. 

F.  C.  Barber. 

1846 

John  H.  Honour. 

Charles  M.  Furman. 

1847 

John  H.  Honour. 

Albert  G.  Mackey. 

1848 

John  H.  Honour. 

Albert  G.  Mackey. 

m  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  479 

1849  John  II.  Houour.  Albert  G.  Mackey. 

1850  John  H.  Houour.  Albert  G.  Mackey. 

1851  John  H.  Honour.  Albert  Or.  Mackey. 

1852  John  H.  Houour.  Albert  G.  Mackey. 

1853  John  H.  Honour.  Albert  Gr.  Mackey. 

1854  Albert  G.  Mackey.  13.  Rush  Campbell. 

1855  Albert  G.  Mackey.  13.  Hush  Campbell. 

1856  Albert  G.  Mackey.  B.  Hush  Campbell. 

1857  Albert  G.  Mackey.  V.  D.  V.  Jamison. 

1858  Albert  G.  Mackey.  V.  D.  V.  Jamison. 

1859  Albert  G.  Mackey.  J.  It.  Bratton. 

1860  Albert  G.  Mackey.  It.  E.  Wylie. 

1861  Albert  G.  Mackey.  J.  J.  Brabham. 

The  Grand  Chapter  of  South  Carolina  has  been  always  an  eminently 
conservative  and  harmonious  body.  Its  records  from  the  time  of  its 
organization  to  the  present  day  do  not  show  at  any  period  the  existence 
of  the  slightest  portion  of  that  contentious  or  controversial  spirit  which 
it  has  been  my  unpleasant  duty  to  relate  as  having  been  on  more  than 
one  occasion  present  in  the  different  Grand  Lodges  of  the  State.  A 
pregnant  evidence  of  this  kindly  state  of  feeling  among  the  members 
is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  the  reform  in  the  Constitution  which 
abolished  proxies  and  established  the  system  of  paid  representation, 
being  precisely  the  same  great  system  of  reformation  which  gave  rise 
to  so  much  controversy  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  adopted  in  the  Grand 
Chapter,  at  almost  the  very  time  that  the  struggle  was  going  on  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  almost  without  debate,  and  with  entire  unanimity.  The 
Grand  Chapter  now  admits  no  representatives  unless  they  are  members 
of  the  Chapter  which  they  represent,  and  holds  one  Annual  Convoca- 
tion in  February,  at  which  the  expenses  of  its  representatives  and 
Grand  Officers  are  paid.  By  its  Constitution,  this  Convocation  must 
be  held  in  the  city  of  Charleston. 


480  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    LY. 

CRYPTIC    MASONRY    IN    SOUTH    CAROLINA. 

By  the  term  "  Cryptic  Masonry,"  modern  writers  designate  that 
branch  of  the  Institution  which  embraces  the  degrees  of  Royal  and 
Select  Master.  The  term  is  derived  from  the  Grceco-latin  word 
"  crypta,"  a  vault,  and  its  refereuce  will  be  readily  understood  by 
the  possessors  of  the  degrees.  The  early  Latin  writer,  Firmicius, 
uses  the  expression  "  crypticus  homo,"  to  designate  "  a  close  man  who 
will  keep  counsel."  The  phrase  is  equivalent  to  the  Hebrew  "ISH 
SOUDI,"  a  man  of  my  secret  counsel,  or,  my  confidential  friend, 
which  words  are  familiar  to  all  Select  Masters.  The  term,  although  of 
recent  usage,  is  well  derived  and  very  convenient,  and,  notwithstanding 
that  it  has  been  cavilled  at  by  a  few  authorities,  I  shall  not  hesitate  to 
adopt  it. 

Cryptic  Masonry,  in  South  Carolina,  does  not  afford  any  very  abun- 
dant materials  for  history.  It  is  only  within  a  few  years  that  it  has 
here  been  elevated  into  a  separate  jurisdiction,  or,  indeed,  been  placed 
under  any  sort  of  organization  whatever,  nor  has  the  jurisdiction  of 
South  Carolina  been  at  all  embarrassed  by  the  controversies  which  have 
prevailed  in  other  States,  in  reference  to  the  origin  and  the  proper 
locality  or  Masonic  rank  of  the  Royal  and  Select  degrees. 

For  many  years  there  have  heen  three  distinct  claims  urged  for  juris- 
diction over  these  degrees  in  America.  First,  by  Supreme  Councils  of 
the  thirty-third  degree;  next,  by  some  of  the  Grand  Chapters,  and 
lastly,  by  Grand  Councils  composed  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  of 
each  t'tate. 

Connected  with  this  question  of  jurisdiction  is  another,  in  reference 
to  the  historical  origin  of  the  degrees  and  as  to  the  person  or  persons 
by  whom  they  were  first  introduced  into  America.  The  Masons  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia  contend  that  the  Royal  and  Select  degrees  were 
introduced  by  Philip  Eckel,  of  Baltimore,  "  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished and  enlightened  Masons  of  his  day,"  who,  in  1817,  commu- 
nicated them  to  Jeremy  L.  Cross,  and  gave  him  authority  to  confer 
them  iu  every  Royal  Arch  Chapter  which  he  might  visit  in  his  official 


IN"  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  481 

character.*  From  whom,  however,  Eckel  received  them  is  not  stated, 
and  as  the  degrees  are  known  to  have  been  in  existence  in  South  Caro- 
lina long  before  his  time,  it  may  be  presumed  that  be  received  them 
from  some  source  which  at  last  could,  if  we  had  the  documentary  evi- 
dence, be  traced  to  the  Supreme  Council. 

The  history  of  these  degrees  in  South  Carolina  carries  them  to  a 
period  far  anterior  to  any  transactions  connected  with  the  possession  of 
them  by  Eckel  in  Baltimore  This  history  I  am  fortunately  able  to 
give  on  official  authority,  and  from  persons  who  were  engaged  in 
examining  the  question  at  a  time  when  the  sources  of  correct  informa- 
tion on  the  subject  were  more  readily  attainable  than  they  are  now. 

In  the  year  1826,  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland  addressed  a 
circular  to  the  different  Grand  Chapters  of  the  United  States,  sug- 
gesting "the  propriety  of  those  bodies  assuming  jurisdiction  and 
authority  over  these  degrees.  It  may  be  remarked  in  passing,  and 
without  further  entering  into  this  vexed  question  of  jurisdiction,  that 
the  very  word  "assuming,"  used  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland, 
was  a  tacit  acknowledgment  by  implication,  that  the  powers  which  it 
proposed  to  exercise  over  the  degrees  was  intended  to  be  an  innovation 
on  preceding  usage,  and  an  assumption  of  somuthiug  not  formerly 
possessed. 

The  proposition  was,  in  South  Carolina,  referred  to  an  able  com- 
mittee of  the  Grand  Chapter,  which,  after  a  careful  examination,  made 
an  interesting  report  in  1829,  which  embodied  all  the  historical  infor- 
mation which  could  at  that  time  be  obtained  on  the  subject,  and  it 
will  be  remembered  that  many  of  the  persons  who  had  been  in  inti- 
mate connexion  with  the  Masons  who  are  supposed  to  have  brought 
these  degrees  to  America  were  then  living  in  Charleston,  and  holding 
high  positions  in  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 

The  committee  stated  that  they  had  ascertained  that  Brothers  Frede- 
rick Dalcho,  Isaac  Auld,  James  Moultrie,  aud  Moses  C.  Levy,  with 
many  others,  received  the  Royal  and  Select  degrees  in  Charleston,  S. 
C,  in  February,  1783,  in  the  Sublime  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection, 
then  established  in  that  city. 

When  wc  take  into  consideration  the  facts  that  of  the  four  persons 
abovenamed,  Dalcho,  Auld  and  Levy  were  still  living  and  residing  in 
the  city  of  Charleston ;  that  Dr.  Holbrook,  the  author  of  the  report, 
was   well  acquainted  with  them,  and  a  member  of  the  same  Supreme 

Bee  proceeding  of  G.  Chap,  of  Va.,  1R48,  p.  23. 

:;i 


482  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Council,  and  that  there  were  those  daily  opportunities  of  communica- 
tion between  him  and  them,  which  are  so  common  and  convenient 
among  the  inhabitants  of  a  small  city,  we  are  irresistibly  led  to  the 
inference  that  Holbrook  made  his  statement  after  a  personal  interview 
with,  and  from  the  very  mouths  of,  these  original  members  of  the 
Lodge  of  Perfection,  in  which  they  had,  in  1783,  received  the  degrees. 

If  so,  and  I  do  nut  see  how  we  can  avoid  this  deduction,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  find  better  evidence  of  any  fact  in  the  history  of  Masonry 
than  that  the  degrees  of  Royal  and  Select  Master  were  conferred  in 
the  city  of  Charleston  in  the  year  1783,  by  the  Sublime  Grand  Lodge 
of  Perfection. 

The  committee  stated  that  they  had  further  ascertained,  and  it  is  to 
be  presumed  upon  the  same  authority,  that  at  the  original  establish- 
ment of  the  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem  in  Charleston,  on 
the  20th  of  February,  1788,  by  the  Deputy  Inspectors  General, 
Joseph  Myers,  Barcnd  M.  Spitzer  and  A.  Forst,  Brother  Myers  de- 
posited iu  the  archives  of  the  said  Grand  Council  certified  copies  of 
the  Royal  and  Select  degrees,  "from  Berlin,  in  Prussia,  which  were  to 
be  under  the  future  guidance  and  fostering  protection  of  the  govern- 
ment of  the  above  named  presiding  body." 

In  a  manuscript  copy  of  the  degrees  of  Royal  and  Select  Master,  in 
the  archives  of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston,  these  statements 
are  reaffirmed  from  another  source,  with  some  additional  information, 
in  a  note  which  is  in  the  hand-writing  of  Moses  Holbrook.  and  signed 
with  the  initials  of  his  name.  Holbrook  was  at  that  time  the  Grand 
Commander  of  the  Southern  Supreme  Council.  The  note  alluded  to 
is  in  these  words: 

"In  Bro.  Snell's  book  is  written  the  following  : 
"  '  Supreme  Council  Chamber,  Charleston,  S.  C,  10th  Feb.,  1827. 

"'I  hereby  certify  that  the  "  Detached  Degrees,"  called  Royal  and 
Select  Master,  or  Select  Masters  of  27,  were  regularly  given  by  the 
Sublime  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection,  (No.  2,  in  the  U.  S.  A.,)  estab- 
lished by  Bro.  Isaac  DaCosta,  in  Charleston,  in  February,  1783,  one  of 
the  origiual  members  of  which,  M.  I.  Bro.  Moses  C.  Levy,  is  still 
alive,  and  a  member  of  it  to  this  day,  without  ceasing  to  be  so  for  a 
day.  And  further  that  at  the  first  establishment  of  a  Grand  Council 
of  Princes  of  Jerusalem  in  Charleston,  in  February,  1783,  by  the 
111.  Deputy  Inspectors  General,  Joseph  Myers,  B.  M.  Spitzer  and  A. 
Forst,  Bro.  Myers  (who  succeeded  Bro.  DaCosta  after  his  decease,) 
deposited  a  certified  copy  of  the  degrees  from  Berlin,  in  Prussia,  to  be 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  483 

under  the  guidance  and  fostering  protection  of  the  government  of  the 
above  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem.' 

"Bro.  Myers,  shortly  after  this,  (20th  February,  1788,)  resided 
some  time  in  Norfolk,  Richmond  and  Baltimore,  previous  to  his  removal 
to  Europe,  and  he  communicated  a  knowledge  of  these  degrees  to  a 
number  of  brethren  in  those  cities.  The  original  copy  is  still  in  my 
keeping,  and  agreeably  to  the  obligations  of  the  same,  and  the  Grand 
Constitutions  governing  those  degrees,  viz:  Royal  and  Select  Masters 
of  27,  it  is  correct  and  lawful  to  give  them  either  to  Sublime  Masons 
who  have  arrived  to  the  Knights  of  the  9;h  Arch,  (13th  degree,)  or 
to  Companions  uf  the  ?d  Arch,  Royal  Arch  Masons." 

Peter  Snell,  the  author  of  this  note,  of  which  it  appears  that 
Holbrook  only  took  a  copy,  was  a  Deputy  Inspector  General,  and 
having  received  the  degrees  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  in 
Charleston,  removed  to  New  Orleans,  where,  for  some  time,  he  acted 
as  an  agent,  of  the  Southern  Supreme  Council.  I  suppose  that  he 
derived  his  information  from  the  same  source  as  that  from  which 
Holbrook  obtained  his.  The  additional  fact  mentioned  in  the  latter 
paragraph,  that  Myers  resided  for  some  time  in  Baltimore,  may  throw 
some  light  on  the  source  whence  Eckel  of  that  city  obtained  the 
degrees,  which  he  afterwards  communicated  to  Cross,  and  to  which 
allusion  h::S  already  been  made. 

With  those  preliminary  remarks,  we  are  now  ready  to  enter  upon  the 
history  of  Cryptic  Masonry  in  South  Carolina,  with  some  chance  of 
attaining  the  truth. 

The  Royal  and  Select  degrees  were  first  introduced  into  South  Caro- 
lina in  the  year  1783,  and  conferred  in  the  Lodge  of  Perfection,  at 
the  city  of  Charleston,  under  the  authority  of  the  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Rite. 

They  were  never  conferred  under  any  other  authority  in  the  State 
until  very 'recently.  For  a  long  time  after  the  decline  of  the  Lodge  of 
Perfect  ion  and  the  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  the  degrees  were 
conferred  by  the  Inspectors  General  as  an  honorarium  on  persous  who 
had  received  the  Royal  Arch  in  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  or  in 
the  York  Rite.  They  were  never  conferred  on  any  who  had  not 
advanced  to  this  point  in  Masonry. 

The  first  Council  established  iu  the  State  was  Adoniram  Council  No. 
1,  organized  in  1850  by  the  author  of  this  work,  in  his  capacity  as  a 
Grand  Inspector,  and  under  the  immediate  authority  of  the  Supreme 
Council.     Subsequently,  he  established  Councils  in  other  parts  of  the 


. 


484  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

State  by  the  same  authority.  Their  warrants  all  emanated  from  the 
Supreme  Council. 

The  same  course  was  pursued  by  him  in  Florida  and  in  North  Caro- 
lina, by  the  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem  in  Mississippi, 
and  by  Brother  Albert  Pike,  a  Sovereign  Inspector  in  Arkansas,  in  all 
of  which  States  Grand  Councils  were  subsequently  formed,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston. 

The  numbers  of  Councils  in  the  State  having  greatly  increased,  a 
wish  was  expressed  by  their  members  to  have  them  placed  under  the 
distinct  jurisdiction  of  a  State  Grand  Council,  and  the  proposition  was 
made  to  the  Supreme  Council,  which  body  cheerfully  acceded  to  it,  in 
1859,  with  a  single  stipulation  to  be  hereafter  mentioned. 

Accordingly,  a  meeting  of  the  representatives  of  eight  Councils  was 
held  in  the  city  of  Charleston  on  the  15th  of  February,  1860,  when 
the  following  Councils  were  represented  : 

No.  1,  at  Charleston;  No.  2,  at  Laurens;  No.  3,  at  Cokesbury;  No. 
4,  at  Anderson ;  No.  5,  at  Columbia ;  No.  6,  at  Lancaster ;  No.  7,  at 
Flint  Hill;  No.  8,  at  York;  and  No.  9,  at  Cheraw. 

A  Council  of  Select  Masters  was  opened  with  the  following  officers : 

Comp.  A.  G.  Mackey,  Grand  Master; 

A.  F.  Lumpkin,  Hiram  of  Tyre; 

B.  K.  Campbell,  P.  Cond.  of  the  Works ; 
Wm.  Armstrong,  Treasurer; 

E.  J.  Waddel,  Secretary ; 
W.  T.  McKewn,  Capt.   Guards; 
P.  S.  Jacobs,  Cond.  of  the  Council ; 
W.  B.  Thompson,  Steward. 

Comp.  A.  G.  Mackey  stated  that  the  object  of  this  meeting  was  to 
organize  a  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  for  the  State 
of  South  Carolina,  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty-third*  degree  for 
the  Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  having  agreed  to  relin- 
quish ita  authority  over  the  Councils  now  established  in  the  State,  and 
over  all  others  hereafter  to  be  established,  provided  that  no  law  should 
ever  be  enacted  by  the  Grand  Council  impairing  the  individual  rights 
and  prerogatives  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  in  the  State. 

The  terms  were  accepted,  and  the  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select 
Masters  was  forthwith  organized  with  the  following  officers,  who  were 
elected  to  serve  for  one  vear  : 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  4-S5 

Coinp.  A.  Gr.   Mackey,  M.D.,  of  Charleston,  Most   Puissant    Grand 
Master : 
B.  R.  Campbell,  of  Laurens,  Thrice  Illustrious  Deputy  Grand 
Master  ; 

A.  F.  Lumpkin,  of  Fairfield,  Right  Illustrious  Principal  Con- 

ductor of  the  Works ; 

J.  R.  Beatton,  M.D.,  of  Yorkville,  Illustrious  Grand  Treas- 
urer ; 

H.  W.  Schroder,  of  Charleston,  Illustrious  Grand  Recorder  ; 

B.  Johnson,  of  Abbeville,  Reverend  Grand  Chaplain; 
John   H.    Harley,   M.D.,   of    Barnwell,   Illustrious    Grand 

Captain  of  the  Guards  ; 
R.  E.  Wylie,  M.D.,  of  Lancaster,  Illustrious  Grand  Conductor 

of  the  Council ; 
W.  B.  Thompson,  of  Charleston,  Grand  Steward. 

The  following  fundamental  laws  were  then  adopted,  to  constitute, 
forever,  the  first  and  second  articles  of  the  Constitution  : 

"Article  1.  The  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  of 
South  Carolina  is  formed  by  a  power  delegated  to  the  several  Subordi- 
nate Councils  in  the  State  so  to  do,  by  the  Supreme  Council  of  Sover- 
eign Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the  thirty-third  degree,  of  the 
Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States,  from  whom  their  warrants  of  constitution  were  origi- 
nally derived,  and  under  the  express  stipulation  that  all  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  the  said  Inspectors  over  the  said  degrees,  except  so  far  as 
the  granting  of  dispensations  and  warrants,  and  the  exercise  of 
supreme  Masonic  control  over  the  Councils  and  their  members,  shall  be 
reserved  inviolate  to  the  said  Inspectors,  and  that  the  Grand  Council 
will  assume  no  authority  to  open  Councils  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
State  of  South  Carolina.  And  this  and  the  following  article  of  the 
Constitution  shall  be  forever  unrepealable,  as  fundamental  principles  of 
law,  except  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  sawi  Supreme  Council  of 
Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General. 

"  Article  2.  No  Royal  and  Select  Master  shall  ever  be  acknowl- 
edged as  regular,  or  admitted  to  visit  any  Council  in  this  State,  if  he 
has  been  made  under  the  authority  of  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  nor  unless  he  has  received  the  degrees  in  a  just  and  legally 
constituted  Council,  or  being  a  Roval  Arch  Mason,  at  the  hands  of  a 
Sovcrcigu  Grand  Inspector  General." 


436  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  adopt  a  Constitution  which  was  to  be 
reported  ;it  the  next  Convocation,  and,  after  the  transaction  of  some 
other  business,  the  Grand  Council  was  closed. 

The  nest  Annual  Convocation  was  held  on  the  14th  of  February, 
1X61,  when  the  Constitution  was  adopted  and  the  same  Grand  Officers 
elected,  with  the  exception  of  B.  Thayer,  elected  Grand  Treasurer,  and 
A.  Ramsay,  Grand  Conductor  of  the  Council.  Three  additional  Coun- 
cils were  added  to  the  registry,  namely:  No.  10,  at  Greeuville;  No. 
11,  at  Oraogeburg,  and  No.  12,  at  Edgefield. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  457 


CHAPTER   LVL 

KNIGHT   TEMPLAEI6M    IN    sol  ill    CAROLINA. 

The  exact  date  of  the  introduction  of  the  Templar  Order  of  Knight- 
hood into  South  Carolina  is  involved  in  much  obscurity.  Gourdin,* 
deducing  his  opinion  from  "an  old  soal  in  the  archives,"  says  that 
"South  Carolina  Encampment  No.  1,  of  Knights  Templar,  and  the 
Appendant  Orders,  was  established  in  1780."  I  have  been  unable  to 
find  any  reference,  in  the  contemporary  journals  of  the  day,  to  the  exist- 
ence of  "South  Carolina  Encampment  No.  1,"  at  that  early  period. 
I  have,  however,  been  more  successful  in  obtaining  indisputable 
evidence  that  the  degrees  of  Knight  of  tlic  Red  Cross  and  Knight 
Templar  were  conferred  in  Charleston,  in  a  regularly  organized  body, 
as  far  back  as  the  year  1783,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  seal,  with 
the  date  "  1780,"  to  which  Oourdiu  refers,  belonged  to  that  body  and 
afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  South  Carolina  Encampment. 

The  proof  of  what  I  have  stated  is  contained  in  a  small  compass, 
but  the  testimony  is  irrefutable.  I  have  in  my  possession  a  diploma, -j- 
wiitten  in  a  very  neat  chirography  on  parchment,  with  t»vo  seals,  in 
wax,  attache.:;  one  in  red  of  the  Royal  Arch,  and  the  other  in  black 
of  the    Knights    Templar.      The  upper   part   of  the    diploma    contains 

*  For  much  of  the  historical  information  contained  in  this  chapter,  I  am  in- 
debted to  an  "Historical  Sketch  of  the  Order  of  Knights  Templar."  This  is  an 
address  delivered  before  South  Carolina  Commandery,  in  IS")."),  by  Theodore  S. 
Gourdin.  Mr.  Gourdin,  who  li.is  since  died,  was,  for  many  years,  the  presiding 
oHicer  of  that  body.  To  a  considerable  share  of  Masonic  learning  and  talent  he 
added  an  unusual  amount  of  laborious  research,  in  the  investigation  of  any  sub- 
ject upon  which  he  was  engaged.  In  the  work  just  quoted,  whose  only  objection 
is  its  brevity,  he  has  collected  almost  every  fact  relevant  to  the  subject  which  was 
contained  in  the  minutes  of  the  Commandery,  or  in  contemporary  records.  I 
have,  I  confess,  found  but  little  to  glean  in  the  field  over  which  he  has  passed. 
I  have,  however,  ventured,  in  a  leu  instances,  to  dissent  from  his  theories,  and 
once  or  twice  have  been  compelled  to  correct  his  statements. 

f  I  am  indebted,  for  this  very  singular  and.  as  a  link  in  history,  invaluable 
diploma,  to  the  Kindness  of  U.  J.  Witherspoon,  Esq.,  of  Lancaster,  who,  in  turn, 
received  it  from  II.  W.  DeSaussure,  Esq.,  of  Camden.  I  have  not  been  able  to 
trace  it  further. 


488  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

four  devices  within  fcur  circles,  all  skilfully  executed  with  the  pen. 
The  first  device,  begin  Ding  on  the  left  hand,  is  a  star  of  seven  points, 
with  the  ineffable  name  in  the  centre,  and  the  motto  "  memento 
mori;"  the  second  is  an  arch  on  two  pillars,  the  all-seeing  eye  on  the 
key-stone  and  a  sun  beneath  the  arch,  and  "  holiness  to  the  Lord"  for 
the  motto;  the  third  is  the  cross  and  brazen  serpent,  erected  on  a 
bridge,  and  "Jesus  Salvator  Hominum"  for  the  motto;  and  the  fourth 
is  the  skull  and  cross  bones,  surmounted  by  a  cross,  with  the  motto 
"  In  hoc  siyno  vinces."  The  reference  of  the  three  last  devices  is 
evidently  to  the  Iloyal  Arch,  the  Red  Cross  and  Templar  degrees. 
The  first  is  certainly  a  symbol  of  the  Lodge  of  Perfection,  and  hence, 
connectedly,  they  show  the  dependence  of  the  Order  of  Templarism  in 
the  State  at  that  time  upon  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite. 
The  diploma  is  in  these  words : 

"We,  the  High  Priest,  Captain  Commandant  of  the  Red 
Cross,  and  Captain  General  of  that  Most  Holy  and  Invincible  Order 
of  Knights  Templar  of  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  1,  Ancient 
Masons,  held  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  under  Charter  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  Southern  District  of  North  America,  do  hereby 
certify  that  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Brother,  Sir  Henry  Beau- 
mont, hath  passed  the  Chair,  been  raised  to  the  sublime  degrees  of  an 
Excellent,  Super-Excellent  Royal  Arch  Mason,  Knight  of  the  Red 
Cross,  and  a  Knight  of  that  Most  Holy,  Invincible  and  Magnanimous 
Order  of  Knights  Templar,  Knights  Hospitaller,  Knight  of 
Rhodes,  and  of  Malta,  which  several  Orders  are  above  delineated; 
and  he  having  conducted  himself  like  a  true  and  faithful  Brother,  we 
affectionately  recommend  him  to  all  the  Fraternity  of  Ancient 
Masons  round  the  Globe  wherever  assembled. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  and  seal  of  our  Lodge,  this  first  day  of 
August,  five  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-three,  and  of 

Malta,  3517. 

GEO.  CARTER,  Capt,  Gen'l 
THOS.  PASHLEY,  1st  King. 
WM.  NISBETT,  2d  King. 
"Rd.  Mason,  Recorder" 

But  apart  from  the  evidence  furnished  by  this  diploma,  which  only 
goes  to  show  that  the  Templar  degree  was  conferred  in  Charleston  as 
far  back  as  1783  at  least,  it  is  on  other  grounds  believed  that  the 
regular  degree  was  introduced  into  this  country  by  the  possessors  of  the 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  489 

high  degrees  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,*  whose  predecessors 
received  it  in  Europe  from  the  founders  of  the  rite,  a  part  of  whose 
system  it  was  to  declare  that  Speculative  Freemasonry  was  only  a  de- 
scendant of  the  Knight  Templarisui  of  the  Crusades.  The  Grand 
Encampment  of  New  York  was  constituted  by  the  members  of  the 
spurious  Consistory  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  and  De  Witt 
Clinton  was  elected  the  Grand  Master.  This  was  in  the  year  1814,  but 
long  before  that  period  an  Eucampmcut  had  existed  in  South  Carolina. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar  was  conferred 
in  Charleston  by  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Council,  which  had  been 
iorined  there  in  1801.  As  strongly  corroborative  of  this  fact,  it  may 
be  stated  that,  for  a  long  time,  in  the  early  period  of  the  history  of 
Templarism  in  this  State,  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  Encampment 
were  members  of  the  Supreme  Council.  In  the  circular  issued  by  the 
latter  body  in  1 802,  it  is  stated  that  the  Inspectors  are  in  possession  of 
a  number  of  detached  degrees,  which  they  were  in  the  habit  of  com- 
municating. Among  these  we  know  the  Select  Master  was  one,  and 
the  "  Mediterranean  Pass,"  a  side  degree  of  Templarism,  was  another. 
And  we  have  little  reason  to  doubt  that  the  Knight  Templar  was  a 
third.  There  is  no  possibility  of  doubt  that  the  Knight  of  the  Red 
Cross,  now  used  as  a  preparatory  degree  to  that  of  the  Templar,  was 
manufactured  by,  and  could  have  been  manufactured  only  by,  an  In- 
spector of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite,  since  it  is  but  a  modification 
of  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  degrees  of  that  Rite. 

Cole,  in  his  "Freemason's  Library,"  (p.  317,)  gives  a  list  of  degrees, 
which,  on  the  authority  of  a  "publication  in  1816,"  he  says  "are 
conferred  in  the  Sublime  Grand  Lodges  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  in  Newport,  R.  I."  Among  these  degrees  are 
the  Knight  of  the  Red  Cross,  Knight  of  Malta,  and  Knight  Templar. 
Cole  does  not  give  the  name  of  the  writer  of  the  publication  on  whose 
authority  he  makes  the  statement,  and  I  have  never  been  able  to  meet 
with  the  original.  I  have,  however,  no  doubt  of  the  facts  asserted. 
We  are  informed  in  the  "Proceedings  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
New  York,"  (p.  15,)  that  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar  was  given  in 
1816  in  the  Consistory  of  Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret  in  New 


*  w.  u.  Hubbard,  late  O.  M.  of  the  G.  Bnoanrpment  of  the  United  - 
l  rappoae  thai  ire  owe  the  origin  of  the  Introduction  of  Templar  Masonry 

in  tip  .  :i  distinguished  i  Inspector  <>i  the  Scottish  Rite." 

i 


490  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

Orleans,  which  body  prayed  for  a  Charter  to  enable  it  to  open  an  En- 
campment of  Knights  of  the  Red  Cross,  of  Malta,  and  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean Pass  and  Knights  Templar,  which  prayer  was  granted.  There 
can,  indeed,  be  scarcely  any  doubt  that  Templarism,  in  this  country, 
was  originally  under  the  control  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite.* 

Brother  J.  J.  J.  Gourgas,  of  New  York,  now  the  oldest  possessor  of 
the  degrees  of  that  rite  in  America,  whose  personal  information  on  the 
subject  is  certainly  better  than  that  of  any  other  person,  has  always 
contended  that  the  proper  jurisdiction  of  the  Templar,  degree  was 
vested  in  the  Supreme  Councils  of  the  Thirty-third.  Of  this  there  is 
abundant  evidence  in  his  official  correspondence  preserved  in  the 
archives  of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston.  In  a  letter  addressed 
to  Moses  Holbrook,  the  Grand  Commander,  on  the  loth  of  December, 
1827,  he  uses  the  following  language: 

"I  have  always  thought  that  the  Knights  Templar,  and  the  other 
Orders  of  Knighthood  might,  and  ouyhl,  of  right,  to  be  communicated 
to  30ths,  31sts,  32ds  and  33ds,  just  as  much  as  the  Rose  Croix 
Ecossais  d'  Heredom  de  Kilwinning,  which  is  very  much  like  the  Order 
of  Knights  Templar.  Further:  it  is  very  desirable  for  the  general 
good  and  prosperity  of  the  Masonic  Order  in  this  country,  that  the  (J. 
S.  General  Grand  Encampment  should  be  very  soon  entirely  dispensed 
with,  and  that  every  State  Grand  Encampment  be  transferred  into  a 
State  Grand  Council  and  Consistory  of  the  30th,  31st  and  32d,  submit- 
ted to  the  Supreme  Council  of  their  own  jurisdiction." 

These  views  of  the  venerable  Bro.  Gourgas  could  only  have  been  de- 
rived, I  think,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  Templar  Masonry 
was  in  this  country  originally  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Rite. 

If  this  be  the  case,  although  the  diploma  just  quoted  shows  that  the 
degree  was  conferred  in  1783,  under  the  authority  of  a  Lodge  warrant, 

*  As  one  exception,  (and  there  may  be  others,  but  I  do  not  know  them,)  it 
may  be  stated  that  an  Encampment  was  formed  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  1800, 
which  is  said  to  have  applied  for  and  received  a  Charter  from  London  in  1803. 
But  it  may  be  asked,  whence  did  the  founders,  in  1800,  of  this  body  receive 
their  degrees?  So,  too,  might  we  ask  concerning  the  Knights  of  Pennsylvania, 
whose  Grand  Encampment  was  formed  in  17l»T,  and  also  of  the  members  of  the 
four  Encampments  which  existed  in  New  York  anterior  to  the  formation  of  the 
Grand  Encampment,  as  well  as  those  of  Maryland,  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island,  where  bodies  of  the  Order  were  to  be  found  in  1806.  The  question  is  not 
who  organized  these  Encampments,  but  who  first  introduced  the  degree. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLTNA.  491 

yet  no  regular  and  independent  Encampment  could  have  existed  in 
Charleston  or  in  South  Carolina  previous  to  the  year  1801,  which  is  the 
date  of  the  organization  of  the  Supreme  Council.  But  it  is  very  pro- 
bable, and  indeed  scarcely  to  be  doubted,  that  there  was  an  Encampment 
in  Charleston  in  1803.  This  is  deduced  from  the  fact  that  in  1823  a 
resolution  was  adopted  by  South  Carolina  Encampment  No.  1  in  these 
words:  "Resolved,  that  in  consideration  of  the  long  and  faithful  ser- 
vices of  our  Most  Eminent  Past  Grand  Commander,  Francis  Silvester 
Curtis,  who  regularly  paid  his  arrears  to  this  Encampment  for  more 
than  twenty  years,  he  be  considered  a  life  member  of  this  Encampment, 
and  that  his  life  membership  take  date  from  November,  1823." 

Now  F.  S.  Curtis  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Ancient  and  Accept- 
ed Rite  in  this  State,  and  as  it  is  likely  from  his  Masonic  character  that 
he  would  have  been  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Encampment,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  Encampment  was  formed  in  1803,  to  which  period  the 
liceiiiy  years  mentioned  in  the  resolution  of  1823  would  carry  us  back. 

One  thing  more  is  evident.  If  South  Carolina  Encampment  No.  1 
was  in  existence  from  the  year  1803,  of  which  I  have  already  said  there 
is  scarcely  a  doubt,  and  derived  its  original  authority  from  the  Supreme 
Council,  it  continued  its  existence  from  that  time  until  1823,  either 
under  the  same  authority  or  acted  as  an  independent  body.  The  latter 
was  the  case  with  many  other  Encampments  in  America,  up  to  the 
formation  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  New  York  in  1814,  or  to  that 
of  the  General  Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States  in  1816.  In 
1814,  the  Grand  Orator  of  the  former  body  said  "  the  numerous  Eu- 
campments  of  Knights  Templar  now  existing  withiu  this  State,  (New 
York,)  being  se'f-crcated  bodies,  are  consequently  governed  by  their 
own  private  and  individual  laws,  acknowledging  no  superior  authority, 
because,  in  fact,  none  heretofore  existed."* 

Such,  I  presume,  was  the  case  in  South  Carolina,  and  the  true 
history  of  the  Encampment  in  Charleston  probably  is,  that,  having 
been  originally  constituted  as  an  honorary  Order  by  the  Supreme 
Council  in  or  about  1803,  it  subsequently  prolonged  its  existence  by 
its  owu  independent  act. 

But  the  General  Grand  Encampment  was  established  in  1816,  and 
the  Templar  Order  from  that  time  began  to  be  organized  on  a  more 
stable,  and,  I  may  add,  more  respectable  footing.     Accordingly  on  the 

*  Proceedings  of  Grand   Encampment   of   New   York :    N     Y.,   Macoy    & 
Sickels,  p.  6 


492  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

7th  of  November,  1823,  South  Carolina  Encampment  No.  1  received 
its  warrant  from  the  General  Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States. 
Templarism  was  at  that  time  in  a  very  prosperous  condition  in  the 
State.  On  the  24th  of  June,  1824,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the 
General  Grand  Encampment  to  Columbia  Encampment  No.  2  in  the 
town  of  Columbia.  This  body  lasted  about  four  years,  when  it  ceased 
to  exist. 

Either  a  charter  was  granted  in  the  same  year  by  the  General  Grand 
Encampment,  or  a  dispensation  by  some  of  the  General  Grand  Officers 
for  the  formation  of  a  third  Encampment  in  the  State,  for  I  find 
LaFayette  Encampment  No.  3  in  existence  at  Georgetown  in  April, 
1825,  and  a  delegation  from  it  visited  the  Marquis  LaFayette  when  he 
was  in  Charleston  in  the  course  of  his  triumphal  tour  through  the 
country. 

There  being  now  the  constitutional  number  of  three  Subordinate 
Encampments,  or,  as  they  ai*e  now  called,  Commanderies,  the  necessary 
steps  were  taken  for  the  formation  of  a  Grand  Encampment,  which 
body  was  established  in  the  year  1826.  In  the  same  year  it  received 
an  act  of  incorporation  from  the  Legislature,  which  was  to  continue 
for  fourteen  years. 

In  1827  it  granted  a  charter  to  Beaufort  Encampment  No.  4,  in  the 
town  of  Beaufort.  This  body  lasted  only  a  few  years.  No  other 
Encampment  was  ever  formed  in  the  State.  The  Grand  Encampment 
never  bore  more  than  four  Subordinates  on  its  registry. 

In  fact  the  Grand  Encampment  itself  enjoyed  only  an  ephemeral 
life.  It  was  represented  once  and  only  once  in  the  General  Grand 
Encampment  in  1829,  and  although  it  is  known  to  have  been  in 
existence  in  1830,  we  never  hear  of  its  Convocations  after  that  year. 

The  Encampments  at  Columbia,  Georgetown  and  Beaufort  had 
become  extinct  before  that  time,  and  the  last  meeting  of  South  Caro- 
lina Encampment,  for  more  than  eleven  years,  was  on  the  11th  of 
October,  1830.  Templarism  in  the  State  had  for  a  time  been  ex- 
tinguished. 

On  the  14th  of  October,  1841,  South  Carolina  Encampment  was 
revived  by  seven  of  its  old  members,  and  although  by  the  Constitution 
of  the  General  Grand  Encampment,  its  charter  had  been  long  forfeited 
by  lapse  of  time  and  non  user,  it  continued  with  a  singular  neglect  of 
Masonic  law  to  work  without  legal  authority  ULtil  the  17th  of  May, 
1843,  when  a  dispensation  for  its  revival  was  granted  by  Sir  J.  K. 
Stapleton,  the  Deputy  General  Grand  Master.     In  1844,  a  new  war- 


TN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  493 

rant  was  granted  by  the  General  Grand  Encampment,  which  was 
ordered,  as  Sir  B.  B.  French  states,  "  free  of  charge,  in  consequence 
of  the  loss  by  fire  of  a  former  one."  If  this  was  the  resolution  of  the 
General  Grand  body,  it  must  be  supposed  that,  in  ignorance  of  the 
long  dormant  state  of  the  Encampment,  its  old  charter  was  not  deemed 
to  have  been  forfeited,  and  the  legality  of  its  transactions  from  1841  to 
1843  was  thus  recognized. 

South  Carolina  Encampment  has  since  continued  to  work,  sometimes 
in  a  languishing  and  sometimes  in  a  more  active  condition,  but  Tem- 
plarism  has  never  enjoyed  that  popularity  or  prosperity  in  South  Caro- 
lina that  marked  its  progress  from  1823  to  near  1830.  No  attempt 
has  been  made  since  the  revival  of  the  Order  in  1841  to  organize 
another  Commandery,  or  to  revive  any  of  the  old  ones.  The  chivalric 
Order  has  by  no  means  kept  a  proportionate  pace  with  the  rapid  exten- 
sion of  the  other  branches  of  the  Order  in  the  State. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Commanders  or  presiding  officers  of 
South  Carolina  Commandery  from  its  reorganization  in  1841  to  the 
present  day  : 

1841  Jas.  S.  Burges. 

1842  Albert  Case. 

1844  John  H.  Honour. 

1845  Jas.  S.  Burges. 

1848  F.  C.  Barber. 

1849  C.  M.  Furman. 

1850  A.  G.  Mackey. 

1851  H.  H.  Baker. 
1853  T.  S.  Gourdin. 
18G0  J.  B.  Eraser. 


494  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 


CHAPTER    LVII. 

THE   ANCIENT    AND    ACCEPTED    RITE   IN    SOUTH   CAROLINA. 

In  none  of  the  American  States  have  the  higher  degrees  been 
received  with  more  favor  than  in  South  Carolina,  where  the  authori- 
ties of  the  Scottish  Rite  and  of  Symbolic  Masonry  have  always  main- 
tained the  most  perfect  concord  and  harmony.  Indeed,  the  same 
individuals  have  most  generally  been  found  to  be  the  leading  members 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  of  the  Supreme  Council,  and  the  jealousy  and 
rivalry  which  have  so  often  existed  in  other  jurisdictions  between  the 
York  and  Scottish  Rites,  have  been  altogether  unknown  in  Carolina. 
The  history  of  the  establishment  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  in 
this  State  is,  therefore,  a  subject  entirely  germane  to  the  general  his- 
tory of  Masonry  in  the  jurisdiction. 

I  shall  not  enter  here  upon  the  vexed  questions  whether  the  Consti- 
tutions of  17G2  and  1786 — instruments  under  whose  authority  all 
Scottish  Rite  Councils,  now  existing,  have  been  established — are  or  are 
not  authentic  documents;  whether  the  authority  and  acts  of  Stephen 
Morin  were  legal  or  illegal,  or  whether  the  rite  first  established  by 
him  was  restricted  to  twenty  five  degrees  or  expanded  to  thirty-three. 
These,  with  several  others  of  like  import,  have  engaged  the  attention 
of  writers  on  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  in  France  and  America, 
and  been  productive  of  very  warm  if  not  very  profitable  discussion. 
Rut,  to  the  general  Masonic  reader,  they  will  be  either  incomprehensi- 
ble or  wholly  uninteresting.  I  shall  confine  myself  to  a  bare  accumu- 
lation of  the  facts  which  are  connected  with  the  history  of  the 
introduction  of  this  branch  of  the  Order  into  this  State.  The 
polemics  of  the  rite  belong,  not  to  an  episode  in  the  history  of  Free- 
masonry in  Carolina,  but  rather  to  an  independent  history  of  the  rite 
itself.     And  this  history  I  am  not  now  writing. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  1701,  a  body  calling  itself  "The  Grand 
Lodge  and  Sovereign  Grand  Council  of  the  Sublime  Princes  of 
Masonry,"  but  better  known  in  Masonic  history  as  "  The  Council  of 
Emperors  of  the  East  and   West,"   issued,  at  Paris,  the  seat  of  its 


IX  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  495 

power,  letters  patent*  to  Stephen  Morin,  who,  as  the  reference  to  his 
petition  in  the  patent  states,  "  was  about  to  sail  for  America,  and  was 
desirous  to  be  able  to  work  regularly  tor  the  advantage  and  increase  of 
the-royal  art  in  all  its  perfection."  In  these  letters  patent  Morin  is 
appointed  a  "  Grand  Inspector,"  and  is  "authorized  and  empowered  to 
establish  Perfect  and  Sublime  Masonry  in  every  part  of  the  world." 
lie  also  was  invested,  by  the  same  instrument,  with  "  full  and  entire 
power  to  multiply  and  create  Inspectors  in  all  places  where  the  sublime 
degrees  were  not  established." 

When  Stephen  Morin  arrived  in  St.  Domingo  he  communicated  the 
degrees  of  the  rite  which  he  practiced  to  a  great  number  of  individuals, 
and  established  several  Chapters  and  Councils  in  the  English  colonies, 
which  seem,  however,  to  have  had  only  an  ephemeral  existence. f  He 
also  constituted  M.  M.  Haves  a  Deputy  Inspector  General  for  North 
America,  with  the  power  of  appointing  others  when  necessary,  and 
Henry  A.  Francken  an  Inspector  for  Jamaica  and  the  British  Leeward 
Islands. 

Hayes  subsequently  appointed  Isaac  DaCosta  the  Inspector  for  South 
Carolina.  After  the  death  of  DaCosta,  who  lived,  however,  it  will  be 
hereafter  seen,  to  exercise  some  of  his  powers,  by  the  constitution  of 
a  Lodge  of  Perfection  at  Charleston,  Joseph  Myers  was  appointed  his 
successor  by  Hayes,  and  acted  as  Inspector  of  South  Carolina  until  he 
removed  from  the  country. 

Hayes  subsequently  communicated  the  decrees  to,  and  conferred  the 
Inspectorship  on,  Barend  M.  Spitzer,  at  Charleston. 

All  of  the  deputies  afterwards  met  at  Philadelphia,  and  conferred 
the  degrees,  with  the  rank  of  an  Inspector,  on  Moses  Cohen. 

Cohen  then  communicated  the  degrees  to,  and  conferred  the  Inspec- 
torship on,  Ilyman  Isaac  Long. 

And  lastly,  on  the  25th  of  June,  1781,  Barend  M.  Spitzer,  in  a 
convention  of  Inspectors  holdcn  at  Philadelphia,  conferred  the  degrees 
aud  the  rank  of  an  Inspector  on  Col.  John  Mitchell,  who  subsequently 
organised  the  Supreme  Council  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

A  report  made  by  the  Supreme  Council,  iu  1802,  states  that  Hayes 

*  The  Archives  of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston  contain  an  authentic 
copy  of  these  letters  patent,  which  is  now  lying  before  me. 

+  c;nrr\  Hut.   PiUoreaq.  ./.-■  la   FV  ,  p.  470.     The  (acts  here  stated 

arc  correct,  bttl  Clarel,  in  general,  is  aol  to  be  dep  snded  on  for  the  truth  of  any 
ot  bifl  statements  relative  to  Masonry  iu  America. 


496  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

was  appointed  a  Deputy  Inspector  General  for  North  America,  with 
the  power  of  appointing  others  where  necessary.  Hayes,  in  conse- 
quence of  this  prerogative,  appointed  Isaac  DaCosta  Deputy  Inspector 
General  for  South  Carolina,  and  thus  the  rite  was  introduced  into  this 
State. 

In  the  year  1783  it  received  "a  local  habitation  and  a  name,"  in 
the  organization,  by  DaCosta,  of  a  Sublime  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection 
in  the  city  of  Charleston.  This  body  continued  in  existence  for  many 
years.  One  of  the  customs,  which  then  existed  in  these  bodies,  was 
that  of  delivering  discourses  on  the  principles  of  Masonry  on  the  days 
of  the  vernal  and  autumnal  equinoxes.  Whether  this  custom  was 
regularly  observed  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection  in  Charleston,  I 
am  unable  to  say.  At  least,  none  of  these  discourses  have  been  handed 
down  to  posterity,  excepting  two  orations  delivered  by  Dr.  Dalcho  on 
the  23d  of  September,  1801,  and  on  the  21st  of  March,  1803,  which 
were  published  in  1803,  and  which,  notwithstanding  several  untenable 
theories  in  relation  to  Symbolic  Masonry,  contain  some  valuable  infor- 
mation, especially  in  the  notes  and  appendix  in  relation  to  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Rite. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  1788,  a  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of 
Jerusalem*  was  opened  in  Charleston  by  J.  Myers,  Inspector  for  South 
Carolina,  B.  M.  Spitzer,  Inspector  for  Georgia,  and  A.  Forst,  Inspector 
for  Virginia.  Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  Council  a  letter  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  Duke  of  Orleans  requesting  certain  records  from  the 
archives  of  the  society  in  France,  which,  in  his  answer  through  Col. 
Shee,  his  secretary,  he  promised  to  transmit,  but  which  the  commence- 
ment of  the  French  Revolution  prevented  him  from  doing. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  1796,  Hyman  Isaac  Long,  who  has  already 
been  mentioned  as  a  Deputy  Inspector  General,  constituted  in  the 
hall  of  the  Lodge  La  Candeur  No.  12,  at  Charleston,  a  Grand  Consis- 
tory of  Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1796,  the  Lodge  room  of  the  Sublime  Grand 
Lodge  of  Perfection  and  its  records,  jewels  and  furniture,  were 
destroyed  by  fire,  which,  added  to  other  causes,  occasioned  a  suspension 
of  the  meetings,  except  some  occasional  ones  for  special  purposes,  but 
in  1801,  the  Lodge  was  again  organized,  a  new  warrant  issued  by  the 


*  The  By-Laws  of  this  body,  which  were  ratified  on  the  12th  of  May,  1788, 
prescribed  as  a  fee  for  the  degree  of  Knight  of  the  East,  two  guineas,  and  for 
that  of  Prince  of  Jerusalem,  four  guineas.     Archives  of  Sup.  Conn.     Book  H. 


IN  SOUTH   CAROLINA.  497 

Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  officers  duly  and  law- 
fully elected.*  Dr.  Frederick  Dalcho,  who  had  been  made  an  Inspec- 
tor General  in  that  year,  by  Col.  John  Mitchell,  was  chosen  as  the 
Grand  Orator.  The  fruit  of  this  election  was  those  orations  to  which 
I  have  already  alluded,  delivered  in  1801  and  in  1803. 

The  rite  being  well  established  in  the  State,  on  the  31st  of  May, 
1801,  a  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty-Uiird  degree  was  opened  with 
the  high  honors  of  Masonry,  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  by  John  Mit- 
chell and  Frederick  Dalcho,  upon  whom  the  former  had  conferred  the 
degrees  seven  days  before, f  and  in  the  course  of  the  year,  and  the  fol. 
lowing  one,  the  whole  number  of  Grand  Inspectors  General  was  com- 
pleted by  the  admission  of  other  members.  A  register  of  the  Supreme 
Couucil,  published  in  1802,  designates  the  following  as  the  officers  and 
members  at  that  time.  They  may,  in  fact,  be  considered  as  the  found- 
ers of  that  Supreme  Council  which  is  now  become  the  mother  of  all 
the  Councils  of  the  world  : 

John  Mitchell,  Sov.  Grand  Commander. 
Fred.  Dalcho,  Lieut.  Grand  Commander. 
Emanuel  DeLaMotta,  Treasurer  General,  H.-.  E.-. 
Abraham  Alexander,  Secretary  General,  H.-.  E.\ 
T.  B.  Bowen,  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies. 
Israel  Delieben,  Inspector  General. 
Isaac  Auld,  Inspector  General. 
Moses  C.  Levy,  Inspector  General. 
James  Moultrie,  Inspector  General. 

On  the  21st  of  January,  1802,  the  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of 
Jerusalem  issued  a  warrant  for  the  establishment  of  a  Mark  Master's, 
or,  as  it  was  then  called,  a  "  Master  Mark  Mason's,"  Lodge  in  the  city 
of  Charleston,  under  the  designation  of  "  American  Eagle  Mark 
Lodge  No.  1." 

*  The  warrant  bears  the  date  of  5th  July,  1801.  Archives  of  the  Sup.  Coun- 
eii  tit  Charleston*     Book  II. 

f  Mitchell's  patent  bears  date  2d  April,  1795,  and  Dalcho's  24th  May,  1801. 
The  archives  of  the  Supreme  Council  show  that  Barend  M.  Spitzer  appointed  Mit- 
chell a  Deputy  Inspector  General  for  the  State,  and  that  Spitzer  exercised  this 
prerogative  of  appointment  legally,  in  consequence  of  the  removal  of  Myers  from 
the  country.  Mitchell  was,  however,  restricted  from  acting  in  any  official  capacity 
during  Spitzer' s  life.  But  when  Spitzer  died,  which  event  took  place  in  1797, 
Mitchell  assumed  all  the  prerogatives  of  an  Inspector  General  for  South  Carolina, 
and  organized  the  Supreme  Council. 


498  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

For  some  reason,  which  I  have  been  unable  to  discover,  this  warrant 
was  returned,  and  a   new  one  issued  by  the  Grand  Council  of  Princes 
of  Jerusalem  on  the  27th  of  February,  1803.     As  this  pn 
the  warrant  which  is  the  evidence  of  it,  are  interesting  in  an  histo 
point  of  view,  as  showing  how   the   Mark  degree  was  controlled,  and 
under  whose  authority  it   was  placed  before  its  direction  was  assui 
by  Grand  Chapters,  I  do  not   hesitate  to  present  the  reader  with  an 
exact  copy  of  the  second  warrant,  taken  from  the  original,  which  is  in 
my  possession.     The  document  is  as  follows  : 

*  By  the  Glory  of  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe. 
LUX  E  TENEBRTS. 

From    the    East   of    the    Grand    of  the    Most   Sublime   Council   of 
Princes  of  Jerusalem,  under  the  Celestial  Canopy  of  the  Zenith  v, 
answers  to  the  32°  45'  North  Latitude. 

Whereas,    on   the   twenty-first   day   of  January,    5800,    and   of  the 
Christian   Era  1802,  a  Warrant  was  granted  by  the  Grand  Council 
Princes   of  Jerusalem,  to  sundry  brethren,  Master  Mark  Mi 
the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Lodge  of  Mark  Masonry,  in  this  cit 
be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the   Am;, 
Mark  Lodge  No.  1,  said  Warrant  having  been  returned  to  the  G 
Council   and  deposited  among  the  Archives,  and  an  applies  tion  i 
for  a  new  warrant  to  bear  the  same  name  and   number;  and,  whe 
the  Grand  Council,  from   the   convictiou   that  the  establishment  of  a 
Lodge  of  Mark  Masonry  would  facilitate  and  ; 
the  Royal  Art  in  the  sublime  degrees  : 

Do   deem   it   expedient   to  grant  this,  our  warrant,  authorizing  and 
empowering  our  beloved  and  Worshipful  Brother,  Emanuel  I  ta; 

Grand    Overseer  or   Master,   our    beloved    and    Worshipful    Brother, 
Frederick  Dalcho,  as  Senior  Warden,  and  our  beloved  and  W 
Brother,  Solomon  Harby,  as  Junior  Warden,  to  congregate  a 
a  Lodge  of  Mark  Masonry,  who,  as  well  as  their  successors  in  oi 
shall   diligently  and   faithfully  discharge  and   execute   the   untie-. 
functions  appertaining  to  such  Lodge,  (which  duties  and  fund; 
be  considered  as  comprising  the  passing  the  Symbolic  Chair  previous  to 


*  The  use  of  "per"  for  "ad,"  by  the  glory  instead  of  to  the 
Grand  Architect,  is  a  common  and  unaccountable  blunder  in  mac 
scriptions  to  documents  of  the  Rite.     I  have,  however,  given  tii  ough 

absurd  translation. 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  499 

their  initiation  in  the  mysteries  of  said  Lodge,)  agreeably  to  ancient 
form  and  usages,  as  heretofore  established  in  such  Lodges.  And,  also, 
to  frame  By-Laws  for  their  local  government.  Provided,  neverthe- 
less, that  such  forms,  usages  and  By-Laws,  are  not  repugnant  to  the 
constitutional  laws  of  this  Grand  Council.  In  witness  whereof,  we, 
the  undersigned  officers  of  the  Grand  Council  of  Princes  of  Jerusa- 
lem, in  open  Council,  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  have  hereunto  set 
our  hands  and  affixed  the  Grand  Seals  of  the  lllustiious  Order,  in  the 
place  where  the  greatest  treasures  are  deposited,  the  beholding  of  which 
fills  us  with  joy,  comfort  and  acknowledgment  of  all  that  is  great  and 
god.  Near  the  15. B.  and  under  the  CC.  this  fifth  day  of  the  month 
called  Shebat,  5563,  which  answers  to  the  twenty-seventh  day  of 
February,  Anno  Lucis  5807,  of  Mark  Masonry  2815,  and  of  the 
Christian  Era  1803. 

John  Mitchell, 
Pres.  and  Most  Enlightened. 

Fred'k.  Dalciio, 
Senior  Moat  Enlightened. 

Isaac  Auld, 

Junior  Most  Enlightened. 
Joseph  Bee,  Secretary. 

Three  historical  facts  of  importance  may  be  deduced  from  this  docu- 
ment, the  investigation  of  which  is  highly  relevant  to  a  history  of 
Masonry  in  South  Carolina. 

First,  we  see  that  in  1802  Mark  Lodges  were  established  in  South 
Carolina  by  the  Princes  of  Jerusalem  under  the  Scotch  rite.  The  first 
Chapter  established  in  that  State  was  at  Beaufort,  iu  1805,  and  from 
that  period  the  Mark  degree  seems  to  have  been  placed  exclusively 
under  the  Royal  Arch  Jurisdiction. 

Secondly,  from  the  same  document  we  learn  that  the  presiding  officer 
of  a  Mark  Lodge  was  called  the  "Grand  Overseer,"  aud  not  as  now, 
"Light  Worshipful  Master."  There  is  an  allusion  to  this  title  in  the 
charge  of  the  degree,  first  published  by  Webb,  and  adopted  in  all  suc- 
ceeding Monitors,  in  which  the  candidate  is  directed  so  to  act  that 
his  conduct  "may  stand  the  test  of  the  Grand  Overseer's  square." 

Thirdly,  we   learn    from   this  document   that  at   that  time,  (in   the 

Scotch  rite,  at  least,)  none  but  Past   Masters  could  receive  the  Mark 

e,  and  hence  the  Lodge  wis  authorized,  as  a  preparatory  step,  to 

pai     iis  candidates  through  the  Chair.     I  am  unable  to  say  whether 

this  was  or  was  not  always  and  everywhere  the  case,  but  somo  light  is 


500  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

thrown  upon  the  subject  by  the  fact  that  the  Chisel  and  Mallet,  the 
-working  tools  of  the  Mark  Master,  were  originally  considered  as  belong- 
ing, with  their  symbolic  explanation,  to  the  Past  Master's  degree,  and 
are  so  set  down  in  Hutchinson's  "Spirit  of  Masonry,"  published  in 
1760,  and  in  "Preston's  Illustrations,"  published  in  1788.  Webb  was 
the  first  writer  who  appropriated  them  to  the  Mark  degree. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  1802,  the  Supreme  Council  issued  a 
patent  to  Count  De  Grasse,  empowering  him  to  constitute  Masonic 
bodies  of  the  rite  "over  the  face  of  the  two  hemispheres."  In  conse- 
quence of  this  grant  of  powers,  De  Grasse  established  Supreme  Councils 
in  various  parts  of  the  world,  and,  among  other  places,  in  the  French 
West  Indies,  ia  Spain,  in  Italy,  and  in  France.  But  the  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  these  bodies,  and  of  the  dissensions  to  which  the 
establishment  of  some  of  them  gave  rise,  belong  rather  to  the  history 
of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Kite  than  to  that  of  Freemasonry  in 
South  Carolina.     I  pass  them,  therefore,  with  no  further  notice. 

A  French  jeweler,  named  Joseph  Cerneau,  who,  Ragon  says,  had 
been  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  the  Rite  of  Perfection  at  Saint 
Domingj,  being  driven  from  that  island  by  the  insurrection  of  the 
blacks,  repaired  to  New  York,  where,  in  1806,  he  established,  on  his 
own  authority,  a  spurious  and  illegal  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty- 
third  degree,  of  which  the  same  writer  says,  in  a  sarcastic  vein,  that 
he  constituted  himself  the  Commander,  the  Secretary,  and,  more  espe- 
cially, the  Treasurer.*  He  made  a  great  number  of  receptions,  and 
entrapped,  by  his  plausibility  and  their  own  credulity,  some  distin- 
guished men  of  that  city  and  State — among  others,  the  celebrated  De 
Witt  Clinton,  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Symbolic  Order.  Cerneau  sold 
diplomas,  aprons,  collars  and  jewels  to  the  persons  whom  he  initiated, 
and  between  the  fees  which  he  received  for  initiation  and  the  prices 
that  he  charged  for  his  paraphernalia,  was  enabled  to  turn  a  very  hand- 
some penny  by  his  charlatanism. 

Emanuel  DeLaMotta,  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charles- 
ton, having  visited  the  North  in  the  year  1813,  for  the  restoration  of 
his  health,  became  acquainted  with  these  illegal  proceedings,  and  the 
consequence  was  a  denunciation  of  the  spurious  body  and  the  expulsion 
of  Cerneau  by  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston.  The  Council 
characterizes  him,  in  its  proclamation,  or,  as  it  is  technically  called, 
h<du&tre,  as  "an  impostor  of  the  first  magnitude." 

*  Orfhodo.rie  Maronniqite,  p.  329. 


EN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  .,,,) 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1813,  Emanuel  DeLaMotta,  the  authorized 
deputy  and  agent  of  the  Supreme  Couucil  at  Charleston,  conferred  the 
thirty-third  degree  on  J.  J.  J.  Gourgas  and  Sampson  Simsou,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  on  the  5th  of  August,  of  the  same  year,  having 
conferred  all  the  degrees  on  four  other  brethren,  he  organized  and 
established  in  that  city  a  Supreme  Council  of  the  thirty-third  degree,* 
since  which  time  the  body  at  Charleston  has  assumed  the  title  of  the 
Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  body  at  New  York  (since  removed  to  Boston)  that  of  the  Su- 
preme Council  for  the  Northern  Jurisdiction. 

Notwithstanding  the  denunciations  of  DeLaMotta  and  the  expul- 
sion of  Cerneau,  the  spurious  body  over  which  he  presided  continued 
their  existence,  and  even  determined,  it  seems,  by  intruding  with  their 
clandestine  degrees  into  South  Carolina,  to  carry,  as  it  were,  the  war 
into  Africa. 

Accordingly,  in  the  year  1815,  Messrs.  Javain  and  Desportes,  of 
Charleston,  who,  during  a  visit  to  New  York,  had  received  the  neces- 
sary powers  from  the  Cerneau  Council,  established  in  the  city  of 
Charleston  a  Grand  Consistory  of  Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret. 
This  body,  notwithstanding  its  illegal  character,  being  derived,  as  it 
was,  from  a  clandestine  Council,  was  enabled,  by  the  energy  of  its 
founders,  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  some  of  the  most  respectable 
Masons  of  Charleston,  among  whom  were  two  Grand  Masters.  It  organ- 
ized inferior  bodies,  and  was  a  source  of  some  annoyance  to  the  regular 
Council  for  many  years.  Bickerings  and  dissensions  began  to  arise  in 
the  Masonic  Fraternity  in  Charleston,  which  were  carried  to  such 
a  length  as  finally  to  call  for  the  interposition  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
A  pamphlet  was  published,  in  1825,  by  Joseph-  McCosh,  the  Secretary 
General  of  the  legal  Council,  in  which  a  history  of  the  foundation  of 
the  Cerneau  body  was  given,  under  the  title  of  "Documents  upon 
Sublime  Freemasonry  in  the  United  States  of  America."  A  copy  of 
this  brochure  is  now  lying  before  me,  with  the  manuscript  remarks  of 
T.  W.  Bacot,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Cerneau  Consistory,  and  at 
that  time  the  Grand  Master  of  the  State.     Both  the  text  and  the  com- 


*Thc  Charter  of  the  Northern  Supreme  Council  is  dated  7th  of  January,  1815. 
See  Arckun  "J  Southern  Council,  which  contain  a  copy.  But  Bro.  Gourgas, 
whose  authority  is  undoubted,  iu  a  letter  directed  to  Moses  Ilolbrook,  under  date 
of  28th  February,  1832,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Archives  of  the  Supreme  Coun- 
■  il.  -int.-;  the  true  date  of  organization  a-'  T  have  recorded  it  in  the  text. 


502  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

merits  afford  too  abundant  evidence  of  the  unmasonic  bitterness  with 
which  the  contest  was  conducted.  The  subject  of  this  pamphlet  was 
brought  into  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  complaint  of  T.  W.  Bacot  and 
J.  S.  Cogdell,  the  one  the  Grand  Master  and  the  other  a  Past  Grand 
Master,  who  charged  the  authors  of  the  work  with  official  disrespect. 
The  matter  was  referred  to  a  committee  and  underwent  an  investiga- 
tion, but  mutual  explanations  having  been  made,  peace  and  harmony 
were  at  length  restored.  Dr.  Daleho,  however,  retired  from  the  Grand 
Commandership  of  the  Supreme  Council,  and  was  succeeded  by  Dr. 
Isaac  Auld. 

The  Cerneau  Consistory  soou  afterwards  began  to  languish;  the 
regular  Supreme  Council  received  an  accession  of  several  zealous  and 
energetic  members,  who  received  their  degrees  from  Dr.  Isaac  Auld; 
and  about  1842,  the  final  blow  was  given  to  the  Consistory  of  Cer- 
neau in  Charleston,  by  the  adhesion  of  its  few  remaining  members  to 
the  regular  Council,  which  body,  in  a  spirit  of  harmony,  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  heal  them  on  their  application. 

In  the  year  1839,  an  illegal  Supreme  Council  was  founded  in  the 
city  of  New  Orleans.  This  is  not  the  place  to  enquire  into  the  history 
of  the  foundation  of  that  spurious  body;  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  its 
legality  was  never  admitted  by  the  Supreme  Council  at  Charleston, 
which  was  the  only  body  whose  recognition  could  have  made  it  regular. 
In  1848  James  Foulhouze  was  elected  the  Grand  Commander  of  this 
illegal  organization.  Foulhouze  was  possessed  of  some  talent  and 
learning,  an  ex-priest  of  the  Roman  Church,  but  a  man  of  uncompro- 
mising bitterness  of  spirit,  a  spirit  alike  irreconcilable  with  his  Chris- 
tian and  Masonic  obligations,  and  an  untiring  fomenter  of  mischief  and 
dissension.  Through  his  evil  machinations  the  harmony  of  the 
Masonic  Order  in  New  Orleans  was,  for  many  years,  seriously  impaired. 
The  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite  was  represented  in  the  State  by  his 
party,  and  his  disciples  were  beginning  to  exercise  an  undue  and  mis- 
chievous influence  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons.  In  this  con- 
dition of  things,  it  became  evident  to  several  of  the  leading  York 
Masons,  among  whom  were  John  Gedge,  the  Grand  Master,  Henry  R. 
W.  Hill,  a  Past  Grand  Master,  Edward  Barnett,  Grand  Secretary,  and 
other  leading  members  of  the  Order,  that  the  only  way  to  fight  the 
irregulars  with  any  chance  of  equality,  or  to  hope  for  a  restoration  of 
peace  in  the  jurisdiction,  would  be  to  establish  the  Ancient  and 
Accepted  Rite  on  a  legal  footing  in  the  State,  and  to  place  the  control 
of  it  in  the  hands  of  men  who,  while   maintaining  its  privileges  in 


IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  593 

r,  would  not  desecrate  its  purposes  to  an  unlawful  inter- 

:  tives  of  the  York  Kite  and  the  Grand  Lodge. 

tion  was  made  by  these  brethren,  to  the  Supremo 

ton,  for  a  warrant  to  open  a  Grand  Consistory  of 

Princes  of  the   Royal  Secret,  and  a  request  was  made  that 

ipreme  Council  should  visit  New  Orleans  with 

i  iblish  such  a  body  in  that  city. 

ter  due  enquiry,  complied  with  this  petition, 

Dr.   Albert  G.    Mackey,  the    Secretary  General   of  the  Supreme 

commissioned  as  its  agent,  with  plenary  powers, 

to  the  city  of  Now  Orleans,  and  there  established,  in  the 

32,  under  the  most  favorable  auspices,  a  Grand   Consistory  for 

f  the  founders  of  this  body  were  fully  realized. 

s   of  the  Scottish    Rite  were   now  enabled  to  take  a 

on,  which   finally  resulted  in   the   dissolution  of  the  Foul- 

uncil,   most  of    the  members  of    which,  after  the  enforced 

f  their  chief,  surrendered  their  claims  to  power  and  exist- 

gal  body,  and,  on  the   lGtli  of  February,  1855,  took  from 

A.  Gr.  Mackey,  and  in  the  presence  of  Gen.  J. 

if  the  Charleston  Couucil,  the  necessary  oaths 

: :.      1>  :  iv.     They  were  then  properly  healed  and  admit- 

ubership  in  the  Supreme  Council,  and  a  body  of  nine 

iirited  from  the  number,  by  the  Supreme  Council,  to 

in   Louisiana.     Since   that  period  the  Ancient  and 

imed  and  preserved  a  healthy  condition  in  that 

■,  with  a  few  of  his  adherents,  have  endeavored,  from 

;o  time,  to  renew  their  spurious  body,  but  their   efforts  have  met 

d   the  allegiance  of  the  Louisiana  Masons  to  the 

the  rite,  as  represented  by  the  Charleston  Council, 

dthfully  preserved. 

.   in  1801,  to  the   year  1859,   the  Supreme 

ncil  ;  sisted  only  of  nine  active  members,  according 

f   the   Constitution   of  1786.     But,   in   1859,  the 

louncil  exteuded  its  membership  to  the  mystical  number  of 

id,  under  the  Grand  Commandership  of  Bro.  Albert  Pike, 

energy  and  renewed  prosperity.     It  now  exercises  a 

urinal,  but  active  and  fruitful,  in  the  States  of  Mary- 

orth  aud  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama, 

1,  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Texas,  Arkansas,  Mis- 


504  HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

souri,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Kansas,  California,  Oregon,  and  the  District  of 
Columbia,  in  nearly  all  of  which  places  it  has  one  or  more  Inspectors 
General.  South  Carolina,  as  the  metropolitan  centre  of  the  rite,  is 
allowed  to  have  five. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  its  present  oflieers,  all  of  whom  are  elected 
for  life : 

Albert  Pike,  of  Arkansas,  Grand  Commander ; 

James  Penn,  of  Tennessee,  Lieut.  Grand  Commander ; 

Albert  G-.  Mackey,  of  South  Carolina,  Secretary  General; 

A.  LePrince,  of  South  Carolina,  Treasurer  General ; 

Charles  Scott,  of  Tennessee,  Grand  Minister  of  State; 

C.  Samory,  of  Louisiana,  Grand  Hospitaller ; 

W.  S.  Rockwell,  of  Georgia,  Grand  Marshal; 

Fred.  Webber,  of  Kentucky,  Grand  Standard  Bearer ; 

A.  T.  C.  Pierson,  of  Minnesota,  Grand  Captain  of  Guards; 

C.  Laffon  de  Ladebat,  of  Louisiana,  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies; 

G.  A.  Schwartzmann,  of  District  of  Columbia,  Grand  Tiler. 

The  following  bodies,  working  in  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite, 
are  now  in  existence  in  this  State : 

The  Supreme  Council  of  the  Thirty-third,  situated  at  Charleston. 

A  Council  of  Knights  of  Kadosh,  at  Columbia. 

A  Chapter  of  Princes  of  Rose  Croix,  at  Charleston. 

A  Lodge  of  Perfection,  at  Columbia,  and  another  at  Pendleton. 


APPENDIX. 


BRIEF    SKETCHES 

OF  THE 

SUBORDINATE    LODGES, 

WHICH  WERE  IN  EXISTENCE  IN  THE  YEAR  1817; 

OR, 

WHICH  HAVE  RECEIVED  WARRANTS  FROM  THE 

GRAND  LODGE  OF  ANCIENT  FREEMASONS 
SOUTH   CAROLINA, 


NOTE, 


In  the  ensuing  sketches,  so  much  reference  is  necessarily  made  to 
the  different  Grand  Lodges  which,  from  time  to  time,  existed  in  the 
State,  that  it  may  be  of  some  service  to  the  reader  to  remind  him,  by 
way  of  recapitulation,  that,  from  1737  to  1777,  there  was  a  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  iu  the  State,  designated  as  such  in  these  sketches.  In 
1787  this  body  became  independent*  and  called  itself  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  which  is  thus  abbreviated,  "Grand 
Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  M."  In  1787  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York 
Masons  was  formed,  which  is  here  designated  as  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of 
A.  Y.  M."  In  1808  the  two  Grand  Lodges  united  and  formed  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  designated  here  as  the  "  Grand  Lodge 
of  S.  C."  In  1809  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  was 
revived,  and  is  then  designated  as  the  "revived  Grand  Lodge  of  A. 
Y.  M."  In  1817  the  final  union  took  place  between  the  G.  L.  of  S. 
C.  and  the  revived  G.  L.  of  A.  Y.  M.,  and  the  present  Grand  Lodge 
of  Ancient  Freemasons  was  established,  which  I  designate  as  the 
"  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M." 


SKETCHES  OF  SUBORDINATE  LODGES. 


Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  Charleston.  This  is  the  first  Lodge  that 
was  ever  established  in  the  jurisdiction.  It  received  its  warrant  from 
Lord  Weymouth,  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England* 
in  1735.  It  bore  the  No.  45  on  the  registry  of  England,  but  that  of 
No.  1  on  the  provincial  registry.  The  Lodge  was  opened  at  Charles- 
ton and  the  first  meeting  held  on  Thursday  evening,  the  28th  of 
October,  1736,  under  the  following  officers  :  John  Hammerton,  W.  M., 
Thomas  Denne,  S-  W.,  and  Thomas  Harbin,  J.  W.  The  early  history 
of  this  Lodge  is  so  intimately  connected  with  that  of  Freemasonry  in 
the  State  that  its  details  will  be  found  in  the  preceding  pages  of  the 
piesent  work.  From  its  organization,  in  1736,  it  continued  uninter- 
ruptedly to  work  until  1811,  when  it  suspended  labor,  at  which  time 
George  Flagg,  the  only  remaining  member,  placed  iu  the  hands  of 
the  Grand  Treasurer  ninety-six  dollars  of  funds,  to  be  kept  in  trust  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  until  the  resuscitation  of  the  Lodge.  In  1817  it  was 
revived,  but  agnin  became  dormaut  in  1838.  It  was  finally  revived  by 
a  new  warrant,  granted  June  25,  1841,  to  Albert  Case,  W.  M.,  Albert 
G.  Mackey,  o.  W.,  and  Benj.  Rodrigues,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  has  since 
been  in  active  aud  successful  operation. 

Franklin  Lodge  No.  2,  Charleston.  Marine  Lodge  No.  7  was 
constituted  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  on  the 
22d  of  December,  1766.  Its  number  was  subsequently  changed  to  2, 
and,  in  1823,  it  took  the  title  of  Franklin  Lodge  No.  2.  In  1839,  by 
permission  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  was  amalgamated  with  Union  Kil- 
winning Lodge  No.  4,  and  its  property  was  placed  in  possession  of  the 
latter  body.  The  vacant  number  has  never  been  filled  on  the  registry 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Clinton  Lodge  No.  3,  Abbeville  0.  B.,  Abbeville  District.  The 
first  record  that  I  find  of  a  Lodge  in  Abbeville  District,  is  in  the  year 
1807,  when  Cambridge  Lodge  Xo.  40,  at  or  near  Ninety-Six,  is  men- 
tioned on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.     In  1808  its 


508  APPENDIX. 

number  was  changed  to  58,  which  it  bore  until  the  union  in  1817, 
when  it  was  registered  as  33.  It  became  extinct  in  1823.  In  the 
registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  for  1817,  I  find  two  other 
Lodges  mentioned,  No.  62  or  Union  Lodge,  in  Abbeville  District,  but 
the  exact  locality  is  not  given,  and  Lodge  No.  67,  at  Abbeville  C.  H. 
Union  Lodge  No.  62  took  a  new  warrant  in  1821,  and  became  No. 
34  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  It  made  no  return 
after  1822,  and  in  1825  it  was  suspended.  Lodge  No.  $7  is  not 
recorded  as  having  taken  out  a  new  warrant  at  the  time  of  the  union, 
and  I  find  nothing  more  of  a  Lodge  at  Abbeville  C.  H.  until  August 
10,  1827,  when  a  warrant  was  granted  to  Moses  Taggart,  IP.  M.,  A. 
C.  Hamilton,  S.  W.,  and  L.  Bryan,  J.  W.,  to  open  a  Lodge  at  the 
village  of  Abbeville,  to  be  known  as  "No.  56."  This  Lodge  became 
extinct  in  1832,  in  which  year  the  Grand  Lodge  ordered  its  property 
to  be  sold  and  its  debts  to  be  paid  out  of  the  proceeds.  On  the  26th 
of  March,  1830,  a  warrant  was  granted  to  Samuel  Gough,  W.  M., 
Matthew  Burt,  S.  W.,  and  James  Moore,  J.  W.,  to  open  a  Lodge  at 
Gedar  Spring,  to  be  known  as  "  Cedar  Spring  Lodge  No.  59."  In 
December,  1832,  this  Lodge  received  permission  "  to  remove  to  Abbe- 
ville Court  House  or  within  ten  miles  of  the  same."  This  Lodge, 
some  time  after,  became  extinct,  and,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1840,  a 
warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  for  a  Lodge  in  Abbeville  District, 
to  be  called  Clinton  Lodge.  Its  number  was  not  mentioned  at  the 
time,  but  it  subsequently  received  the  number  3,  which,  in  the  very 
year  of  its  organization,  was  surrendered  by  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  3, 
at  Liberty  Hill.  The  number,  I  imagine,  must  have  been  transferred 
by  the  Grand  Secretary  from  the  one  Lodge  to  the  other,  to  avoid  the 
unnecessary  increase  of  vacant  numbers.  Clinton  Lodge  originally 
met  at  Cedar  Springs.*  "  At  the  residence  of  Bros.  John  Ruff  and 
G.  J.  Cannon,  its  communications  were  successively  held,  and  with 
some  regularity,  until  the  year  1845,  when.it  was  brought  back  to 
Abbeville  C.  H."  So  says  the  report  of  the  Committee.  The  records 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  show  that  January  19,  1846,  "  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary presented  an  application  from  Lodge  No.  3,  requesting  permission 

*  In  1856  a  very  excellent  report  of  a  committee  on  the  History  of  Clinton 
Lodge,  was  published  by  the  Lodge.  It  has  been  of  great  service  to  me.  Simi- 
lar sketches  have  been  appended  to  the  By-Laws  of  Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  No. 
4,  and  Orange  Lodge  No.  14.  The  aid  that  these  documents  have  given  me  has 
been  such  as  to  make  me  wish  that  other  Lodges  had  followed  their  excellent 
example. 


APPENDIX.  509 

to  remove  from  Frazerville  to  Abbeville  C.  H.,  which  request  was 
granted,  and  the  Master  directed  to  make  the  necessary  notice  on  the 
face  of  the  warrant  of  constitution.  From  that  time  the  Lodge  has 
continued  to  hold  its  meetings  at  the  village,  where  it  now  has  a  finely 
furnished  hall.  The  name  was  given  to  the  Lodge  in  honor  of  DeWitt 
Clinton,  the  distinguished  statesman  and  illustrious  Mason. 

In  December,  1821,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  Alex.  B.  Arnold,  W. 
M.,  and  others,  to  open  a  Lodge  to  be  known  as  No.  19,  at  Churchill, 
in  Abbeville  District,  and  the  jewels  and  furniture  of  Lodge  No.  10, 
formerly  of  Columbia,  were  sold  to  Churchill  Lodge  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Previous  to  1832  the  Lodge  appears  to  have  been  suspended, 
for,  in  that  year,  it  made  a  return  and  asked  permission  "  to  go  to 
work."  But  from  that  date  it  is  no  longer  mentioned  on  the  register, 
and  must,  I  think,  have  fallen  through. 

There  was  also  a  Lodge,  long  ago,  at  Scuffletown,  in  Abbeville  Dis- 
trict, which,  says  the  report,  "  was  first  organized  in  Laurens  District, 
at  Hickory  Tavern,  in  1790,  and,  after  the  loss  of  its   archives  and 
jewels  by  fire,  removed  to  Abbeville  District  about  1805   or  1806." 
Of  this  Lodge  Brother  W.  P.  Martin,  an  old  member,  says  that   "  it 
flourished  at  Scuffletown  for  some  thirty-five  years  before  he  became 
acquainted  with  it,  and  a  great  many  of  the  first  men   of  Abbeville, 
Laurens,  Greenville  and  Pendleton,  were  initiated  in  it."     I  can  find 
no  reference  to  the  Lodge  of  Scuffletown  in  any  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
proceedings  until  September  25,  1832,  when  the  committee  on  extinct 
Lodges  reported  that  they  had  received  letters  from  Brother  F.  Branch 
relating  to  several  extinct  Lodges  in  Abbeville  District,  and  enclosing 
three  due  bills  given  to  the  old  Lodge  No.  38,  "which  never  came 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  but  became  extinct  in 
1821."      It    was   then    resolved    "that   Brother    Moses   Taggart   be 
requested  to  forward  the  warrant  of  Lodge  No.  38,  together  with  the 
minute  book,  jewels  and  other  property  belonging  thereto,  and  that  he 
be  empowered  to  dispose  of  the  old  furniture,  bible,  sword,  &c.,  and, 
further,  that  he   be  requested  to  communicate  all   information  in  his 
power  respecting  the  Lodge  at  Scuffletown." 

From  the  phraseology  of  this  sentence  I  am  led  to  believe  that  the 
old  York  Lodge  No.  38,  was  the  Scuffletown  Lodge. 

Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  No.  4,   Charleston.     The  warrant  for 
this  Lodge  was  granted  May  3,  1755,  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge 


510  APPENDIX. 

of  South  Carolina,  to  the  following  persons :  Samuel  Bowman,  D. 
Campbell,  John  Cooper,  Robert  Wells,  William  Michie,  John  Bassnett 
and  John  Stewart.  It  received  the  designation  of  "  Union  Lodge  No. 
4."  There  is  a  singular  circumstance  connected  with  the  early  history 
of  this  Lodge,  which  can  alone  explain  its  change  of  name  from 
"Union"  to  "Union  Kilwinning."  A  reference  to  its  list  of  mem- 
bers will  show  that  there  was,  in  the  commencement  of  its  career,  a 
great  number  of  Scotch  names  on  its  roll,  such  as  Michffi,  Gordon, 
Rowand,  Macauly,  Baillie,  &c.  In  1759  the  Lodge  made  a  donation 
to  the  charity  fund  of  the  Grand  Lod<z;e  of  Scotland,  which  is  thus 
noticed  in  the  records  of  that  body  for  the  year  1759  : 

"Several  brethren,  who  were  Scots  Masons,  having  erected  a  Lodge 
at  Charlestown,  in  South  Carolina,  transmitted  five  guineas  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  for  the  use  of  their  poor.  Grateful  for  this 
unexpected  instance  of  benevolence,  the  Grand  Lodge  ordered  a  charter 
to  be  instantly  made  out  and  transmitted  to  them  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity."* 

There  was  certainly  much  irregularity  in  this  act  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Scotland.  It  is  not  stated  that  Lodge  No.  4  petitioned  for  a  war- 
rant;  it,  did  not  need  one,  having  been  already  constituted  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina;  nor  do  I  suppose  that  it 
accepted  the  one  voluutarily  offered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland. 
It  was,  however,  at  once  entered  on  the  registry  of  that  body,  aud 
appears  even  as  late  as  1793,  among  the  Subordinates  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Scotland,  as  "Union  Kilwinning  Lodge  No.  98,  of  Charles- 
town,  South  Caroliua." 

But  the  Lodge  undoubtedly  adopted  the  additional  name  of  Kilwin- 
ning as  a  compliment  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  in  reference  to 
the  fact,  that  the  Abbey  of  Kilwinning  was  the  cradle  of  Scottish 
Masonry,  as  York  was  of  English,  and,  consequently,  many  Lodges  in 
Scotland  bear  the  title  of  "Kilwinning"  appended  to  their  distinctive 
name,  as  "Glasgow  Kilwinning,"  and  others. 

Lodge  No.  4  did  no  work,  and,  most  probably,  did  not  meet  from 
1772  to  1782  inclusive,  except  in  the  year  1778,  when  it  received  four 
members.  In  1801  it  again  became  dormant,  but  was  revived  Decem- 
ber 4,  1812,  by  seven  of  its  original  members,  and  has  ever  since  been 

*  Lawrie's  account  of  the  G.  L.  of  Scotland  in  his  History  of  Freemasonry, 
page  190. 


APPENDIX.  51 X 

in  active  existence.  In  1830,  by  permission  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
Franklin  Lodge  No.  2  was  united  with  it.  Lodge  No.  4  is  now  the 
wealthiest  Lodge  in  the  State. 

Washington  Lodge  No.  5,  Charleston.  At  the  union  in  1817 
there  was  a  Lodge  in  Charleston,  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Carolina,  whose  number  was  5,  but  whose  name  I  can  no 
where  find.  r  In  1825  it  united  with  Orange  Lodge  No.  14.  In  the 
same  year  Washington  Lodge  No.  7,  and  Union  Lodge  No.  8,  both  of 
Charleston,  and  both  Lodges  which,  at  the  time  of  the  union,  were 
attached  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  were,  on  their  own 
petition,  amalgamated  into  one  Lodge,  to  be  known  as  "  Washington 
Lodge  No.  5,"  which  name  and  number  have  been  ever  since  retained 
by  that  Lodge. 

Union  Lodge  No.  6,  Charleston.  This  Lodge,  which  was  a  con- 
stituent of  the  Graud  Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  at  the  union,  was  by 
petition,  in  1825,  incorporated  with  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  of 
Charleston.     The  number  has  since  continued  vacant  on  the  registry. 

Washington  Lodge  No.  7,  Charleston.  This  Lodge  was,  in  1825, 
incorporated  with  Union  Lodge  No.  8,  to  form  the  present  Washington 
Lodge  No.  5.     The  No.  7  has  not  since  been  filled  up. 

Union  Lodge  No.  8,  Charleston.  This  Lodge  was  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  G.  L.  of  S.  C,  at  the  time  of  the  union  in  1817.  In 
1825  it  was  incorporated  with  Washington  Lodge  No.  7,  and  formed 
the  present  Washington  Lodge  No.  5.  No.  8  has  not  since  been 
filled  up. 

Friendship  Lodge  No.  9,  Charleston.  Friendship  Lodge  is  a  very 
old  Lodge,  and  was  originally  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  sometime  anterior  to  the  present  century,  but 
the  precise  date  cannot  be  ascertained,  since,  as  I  am  informed  by 
Brother  S.  Valentine,  the  present  Secretary,  "many  of  the  archives 
of  the  Lodge  were  lost  in  the  fire  of  1838."  The  Lodge  was  certainly 
in  existence  in  1800,  as  I  have  in  my  possession  a  copy  of  an  address 
delivered  before  it  on  the  22d  of  February,  of  that  year,  by  Seth 
Paine,  on  the  death  of  General  Washington.  (See  p.  84  of  this 
History.)  At  the  union  in  1809,  Emanuel  DeLaMotta,  who  was  then 
Master  of  the  Lodge,  with  the  Senior  Warden  and  some  of  the  mem- 


512  APPENDIX. 

bers,  joined  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  contrary 
to  the  wishes  of  the  Junior  Warden  and  other  members.  The  latter 
party  protested  to  the  newly  revived  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons,  and 
received  a  dispensation  to  continue  work.  DeLaMotta,  however, 
refused  to  deliver  up  the  books,  jewels  and  furniture  of  the  Lodge, 
conceiving,  as  he  said,  that  he  was  still  Master,  and  holding  his  alle- 
giance to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  S.  C. 

This  dissension  caused  the  dissolution  or  suspension  of  this  Lodge, 
and,  in  the  final  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  in  1817,  it  was  not 
represented  in  either  body.  Its  number  was  reported  to  be  extinct  by 
the  Grand  Inspector  in  the  York  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  number  had 
been  appropriated  to  Union  Lodge  of  Charleston  in  the  G.  L.  of  S.  C. 
But,  in  the  latter  part  of  1818,  it  resumed  work  under  a  dispensation, 
and  on  the  Grand  Lodge  having,  in  March,  1819,  granted  a  revival  of 
its  warrant,  the  revived  Lodge  was  constituted  by  Thomas  W.  Bacot, 
G.  M.,  in  person,  on  the  13th  of  May,  1819,  with  the  following  officers  : 
Barnard  Cohen,  IF.  31.,  Samuel  Hyams,  S.  W.,  and  Jos.  Josephs,  J. 
W.  The  Lodge  surrendered  its  warrant  in  1833.  On  the  27th  of 
December,  1842,  it  was  revived,  and  a  new  warrant  was  issued  to  Jacob 
DeLaMotta,  W.  31.,  JSath.  Levin,  S.  W.,  and  Levin  L.  Levy,  J.  W. 
The  Lodge  is  still  in  existence,  and  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition. 

St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  Charleston.  From  a  MS.  in  the 
archives  of  this  Lodge,  for  an  account  of  which  I  am  indebted  to 
Brother  W.  E.  D.  Jeuson,  it  appears  that  it  received  its  warrant  from 
the  G.  L.  of  Pennsylvania,  at  some  period  previous  to  1787,  as  "  Lodge 
No  47."  It  was  one  of  the  four  Ancient  York  Lodges  in  Charleston 
that  united  in  that  year  in  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  and  March  24,  1787  it 
received  a  new  warrant  from  that  body  as  "  Lodge  No.  4."  In  1808 
it  concurred  in  the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  and  the  formation 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  S.  C,  at  which  time  its  officers  were  Francis 
Curtis,  W.  31.,  Jos.  Cole,  S.  W.,  and  Charles  Cleapor,  J.  W.  At  the 
change  of  registry,  consequent  upon  the  union,  its  number  was  altered 
from  4  to  12,  and,  at  a  meeting  of  the  G.  L.  of  S.  C,  on  December 
27,  1814,  "St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  12"  is  recorded  as  being  present, 
by  the  following  officers  :  Peter  Fitzpatrick,  S.  IF.,  Patrick  McGann, 
./.  W.,  and  Jervis  II.  Stevens,  P.  M.  Having,  notwithstanding  the 
revival  of  the  G.  L.  of  A.  Y.  M.,  in  1809,  continued,  like  all  the  other 
city  Lodges  except  No.  31,  to  adhere  to  the  G.  L.  of  S.  C,  it  took  a 


APPENDIX.  513. 

part  in  the  formation  of  the  permanent  union  in  1817,  at  which  time 
its  officers  were  Alex.  Henry,  W.  M.,  Samuel  McGinlay,  S.  W.,  and 
Jeremiah  Wilcox,  J.  IT'.  After  the  union  its  number  was  again 
changed,  and  December  26,  1818,  "St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10"  re- 
ceived B  new  warrant  issued  to  Samuel  McGinlay,  W.  M.,  Jeremiah 
Wilcox,  S.  W.,  and  Patrick  McGann,  J.  W.  In  1825  Union  Lodge 
No.  0  united  with  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10,  which  union  was 
approved  of  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  iOth  of  December  in  that  year. 
From  that  time  Lodge  No.  10  has  been  in  active  existence,  and  is  now 
in  a  prosperous  condition. 

Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11,  Winnsboro,  Fairfield  District.  There 
was  a  Lodge  at  Winnsboro,  styled  "Lodge  No.  6,"  which,  says  Brother 
James  H.  Ilion,  late  Master  of  No.  11,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for 
information  promptly  given,  "  was  in  operation  certainly  as  early  as 
1788."  Brother  llion  has  furnished  me  with  the  Minute  Book  of 
Lodsre  No.  6,  from  1795  to  1810.  The  Lodge  was  an  Ancient  York 
Lodge,  and  took  a  firm  part  in  resisting  the  union  in  1>08.  In  reply 
to  a  communication  from  Lodge  No.  31,  requesting  the  Lodge  to  adopt 
every  constitutional  mode  to  oppose  that  union,  it  gave  the  members  of 
Lodge  No.  31  "  every  assurance  that  the  Lodge  would  cheerfully  agree 
with  them  in  supporting  the  ancient  landmarks  of  ur  ('raft,  and,  to 
the  extent  of  its  power,  would  prevent  any  junction  with  Modern 
Masons."  The  Lodge  became  extinct  soon  after  1810,  but  I  have  not 
obtained  the  exact  date.  In  1817  it  was  reported  on  the  registry  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  Masons  as  having  been  "for  some  time 
extinct."  In  1822,  as  well  as  I  can  judge  from  the  imperfect  reports 
of  the  Grand  Secretary  of  that  day,  a  Lodge  was  established  at  Winns- 
boro under  the  name  of  "  Little  Hiver  Lodge  No.  11."  On  the  5th 
of  December,  1823,  it  was  permitted  to  change  its  name  from  "  Little 
River"  to  "Winnsboro."  This  Lodge  was  suspended  for  non-pay. 
nieut  of  its  dues  in  1828.  The  Lodge  was  revived  in  1841,  but  did 
not  long  flourish,  as  it  again  became  extinct  in  1843.  On  the  Gth  of 
June,  18  4,  the  present  warrant  of  Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11  was 
granted  to  Hugh  Miller,  W.  M.,  Tho.  Jordan,  S.  \V.,  and  A.  D.  Hil- 
liard,  J.   W. 

Humility  Lodge   Xo.   12,  Branchiille,  Barniccll   District.     The 
warrant  for  this   Lodge  was  granted  on    the   21st  of  July,  1837,  and 
surrendered  in  1857.     The  Lodge  is  now  extinct,  aud  the  number  has 
33 


514  APPENDIX. 

not  been  filled  up.     Lodge  No.  12  was  originally  started   at  Orange- 
burg C.  H.,  and  was  suspended.     See  Orangeburg  Lodge  No.  28. 

St.  John's  Lodge  No.  13,  Charleston.  This  Lodge,  now 
since  extinct,  once  played  an  important  part  in  the  history  of  Masonry 
in  South  Carolina.  St.  John's  Lodge  No.  31  (for  that  was  its  original 
number,)  was  the  leader  of  that  organized  opposition  of  Ancient  York 
Lodges,  which  dissented  from  the  union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  in 
1808,  and  which  caused  the  revival  of  the  York  Grand  Lodge  in 
1809.*  It  took  its  willing  share,  however,  in  the  second  and  more 
successful  union  of  1817,  and,,  on  the  necessary  alterations  being  i 
in  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  in  1818,  it 
received  the  number  13.  In  1836  it  became  extinct,  and  a  consider- 
able amount  of  funds,  including  ten  shares  of  Planters'  and  Mechan- 
ics' Bank  stock,  passed  into  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  St. 
John's  Lodge,  during  its  existence,  contained  on  its  roll  the  names  of 
some  of  the  most  zealous  and  intelligent  Masons  in  the  jurisdiction. 
The  number  has  never  been  filled  up. 

Orange  Lodge  No.  14,  Charleston.  This  Lodge  was  constituted 
in  1789,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  of  South  Caro- 
lina. The  warrant  was  granted  to  James  Allison,  W.  31.,  Win.  Stewart, 
S.  W.,  and  Alex.  Cameron,  J.  IF.  Its  first  meeting  was  held  On  the 
28th  of  May,  1789.  In  1808  it  declared  its  adhesion  to  the  un'ron  cf 
Grand  Lodges  which  then  took  place,  and,  like  all  the  other  York 
Lodges  of  the  city  except  No.  31,  refused  to  withdraw  from  the  united 
Grand  Lodge  and  assist  in  the  revival  of  the  York  Grand  Lodge.  In 
1817  it  was,  therefore,  found  taking. its  share  in  the  permanent  n 
as  one  of  the  constituents  of  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina." 
In  1825  Lodge  No.  5  surrendered  its  warrant  and  obtained  permission 
to  unite  with  Lodge  No.  14.  Orange  Lodge  has  been  extremely  fortu- 
nate in  the  preservation  of  its  records  from  the  date  of  its  establish- 
ment, by  which  it  appears  that  it  has  never  suspended  its  work,  but  has 
constantly  and  regularly  held  its  Communications. 

Cheraw  Lodge  No.  15,    Chemw,   Chesterfield    District.      In  the 

beginning  of  this  century  there  were  two  Lodges  in   Cheraw  District, 
No.  15  at  Little  River,  and  No.  17  at  Greenville.     They  were  both  in 

*  See  Chapters  VIII.  and  IX.  of  this  work. 


APPENDIX.  515 

existence  in  1807,  and  were  both  Ancient  York  Lodges.  Between 
1808  and  1817  Lodge  No.  lf>  became  extinct.  In  1808  Lodge  No. 
17  removed  to  the  town  of  Oheraw,  then  called  "  Cheraw  Hill."  It 
refused  to  sanction  the  union  of  1808,  and  adhered  to  the  revived  G. 
L.  of  York  Masons  until  1817,  when  its  proxy  united  with  that  body 
in  the  formation  of  the  second  union.  It  is  probable  that  the  action 
of  its  proxy  did  not  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  Lodge,  for  it  did 
not  give  its  adhesion  to  the  new  Grand  Lodge,  and  soon  became  extiuct 
under  the  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.*  In  1821  a  warrant  was 
granted  to  King  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  15;  at  Cheraw,  of  which  John 
M.  Peguea  was  the  first  Master.  In  the  same  year  there  appears  to 
have  been  some  interruption  of  harmony  in  the  Lodge,  and  several 
brethren  having  withdrawn  from  it  petitioned  the  <i rand  Lodge  for  a 
warrant  for  a  new  Lodge.  In  consequence  of  the  adverse  report  of 
the  committee  to  whom  the  application  was  referred,  it  was  refused. 
The  Lodge  having  made  no  returns  since*  1822,  its  warrant  was  sus- 
pended in  1827.  In  1853  a  warrant  was  granted  to  the  present  Lodge 
under  the  name  of  "Cheraw  Lodge  No.  15,"  which  was  issued  to  0. 
31.  Roberts,   IK  J/.,  Dan.  A.  Horn,  S.   W.,  and  C.  Kollock,  J.   IF. 

Beckiiamsville  Lodge  No.  16,  Rocky  Orel-,  Kershaw  District. 

This  was  an  old  York  Lodge  which  bore  the  number  24  on  the  registry 
of  the  G.  L.  of  A.  Y.  M.  It  was  in  existence  certainly  in  1808,  and 
took  a  part  in  the  opposition  to  the  union  of  that  year.  In  1817  it 
united  in  the  final  union,  and  its  number  was  changed  from  24  to  16. 
It  was  suspended  in  1825  and  never  has  been  revived.  The  number  is 
still  vacant  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  17,  Barnwell  C.  II  No.  17  was  originally 
occupied  by  King  Solomon's  Lodge  at  Cheraw.  On  the  change  of  the 
number  of  that  Lodge  to  15,  No.  17  was  given  to  Good  Intention 
;  Pensacola,  Florida,  which  had  been  46  on  the  registry  of  the 
i  ad  Lodge  of  S.  C.  before  the  union,  and  which,  after  its  suspen- 
sion, '.'.as  revived  in  1821.  Good  Intention  Lodge  No.  17  was  declared 
cxtim-t  in  1*25.  December  18,  1840,  a  warrant  was  granted  for  the 
0.1  of  a  Lodge  at  Barnwell  C  H.,  to  be  known  as  "  Harmo- 


*  In  February,  1818,  the  G.  L.  resolved  that  all  Lodges  thai  did  not  give  their 

to  the  union,  on  or  before  the  Grand  Communication  in  September  next, 
should  be  considered  as  extinct. 


,-)lO  APPENDIX. 

ny  Lodge  No.  17."  It  was  issued  to  V.  J.  Williamson,  W.  M.,  A.  P. 
Aldrich,  S.  W.,  and  J.  0.  Hagood,  J.  W.  This  Lodge,  after  building 
a  hall  in  1845,  and  exhibiting  other  symptoms  of  prosperity,  finally 
became  dormant  in  1852.  It  was  revived  in  1858  by  a  warrant  issued 
to  James  0.  Hagood,  W.  31,  W.  M.  Hunter,  S.  IP.,  and  Frederick 
Miller,  J.  W. 

Tbere  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  in  Barnwell  District,  in  1807, 
designated  as  "  Mount  Moriah  Lodge  No.  55."  It  met  at  B.  Cohen's 
house  near  Matthew's  Bluff.  It  took  an  active  part  in  the  revival  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.M.,  in  1809,  but  in  1817,  it  acceded  to  the 
union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  and  its  number  was  changed  to  30. 
It  is  probable  that  the  Lodge  was  soon  after  removed,  as  from  the  year 
1822  it  is  reported  in  the  registries  as  being  situated  at  "  Pipe  Creek 
in  Beaufort  District."  Its  removal  did  it  no  good,  for  it  made  no 
returns  after  1822,  and  in  1828  was  declared  to  be  extinct. 

Chester  Lodge  No.  18,  Chester  C,  II.,  Chester  District.  In  the 
year  1808,  there  was  a  Lodge  at  Chester  C.  H.,  which  bore  the  number 
28  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons. 
From  its  number,  I  should  suppose  that  it  had  long  been  in  existence. 
It  opposed  the  union  in  1808,  and  in  1809  was  represented  at  the  Con- 
vention which  reorganized  the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge.  It  assented 
to  the  union  which  took  place  in  1817,  and  in  the  change  of  the 
registry  consequent  on  that  event,  received  the  number  IS.  In  183-.'  it 
became  extinct.  On  March  17th,  1854,  a  warrant  was  granted  to  con- 
stitute the  present  Chester  Lodge  No.  18,  with  the  following  officers: 
Tho.  McCully,  W.  31.,   D.  Pinchback,  S.  W.,  A.  G.  Pagan,  J.  W. 

Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19,  Laurensville,  Laurens  District.  There 
was  a  Lodge  bearing  this  number  at  Laurensville  in  1808,  but  how 
much  earlier  I  am  unable  to  learn.  It  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge, 
and  having  refused  to  accede  to  the  union  in  1808,  it  united  the  next 
year  in  the  Convention  at  Columbia  which  revived  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
York  Masons.  At  the  union  in  1817  it  at  first  refused  to  surrender 
its  warrant  and  to  unite  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  But  in 
1822,  it  applied  for  a  new  warrant,  under  circumstances  interesting 
enough  to  merit  a  record  in  the  history  of  Masonry  in  this  State. 
(Seep.  159.)  It  received  a  new  warrant,  and  was  then  designated  as 
"Laurensville  Lodge  No.  41."  No.  19  was.  at  that  time,  occupied  by 
a  Lodge  at  Church  Hill,  in  Abbeville  District,  which  became  extinct 


APPENDIX.  517 

about  the  year  1832.  Lodge  No.  41  was  suspeuded  iu  1S28.  A 
warrant  was  granted  on  the  7th  December,  1848,  to  "Palmetto  Lodge 
No.  19,"  at  Laureusville.  The  Lodge  is  still  in  existence,  and  is  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  prosperous  in  the  State.  The  present  Graud  Mas- 
ter, B.  It.  Campbell,  is  ouc  of  its  members,  and  to  his  untiring  seal  and 
devotion  is  the  Lodge  indebted  for  much  of  the  prosperity  that  it  enjoys. 
There  was  another  York  Lodge  in  Laurens  District  iu  1808,  which 
was  designated  as  "No.  44."  It  became  extinct  before  the  union  of 
1817. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  20,  Edisto  Island,  Charleston  District  The 
original  Lodge  on  Edisto  Island  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge,  and  was 
designated  on  the  registry  of  the  Graud  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  as  "No. 
34."  It  refused  to  accede  to  the  uniou  in  1808,  and  assisted  in  the 
revival  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  in  1809,  under  which  body 
it  continued  until  the  union  in  1817,  when  it  transferred  its  allegiance 
to  the  united  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.,  and  on  the  change  of  the 
registry  it  received  the  number  20.  In  1858  it  surrendered  its  warrant 
"in  consequence  of  an  insufficiency  of  members."  The  furniture  and 
jewels  of  the  Lodge  were  loaned  by  the  Grand  Lodge  to  St.  John's 
Lodge  No.  41,  at  Bluffton. 

Pythagorean  Lodge  No.  21,  Charleston.  The  first  notice  that  I 
find  of  Pythagoreau  Lodge  is  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Graud  Lodge 
of  A.  Y.  M.,  held  in  1817.  It  is  there  designated  by  its  name,  but 
without  a  number.  In  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F. 
M.,  for  1819,  it  is  recorded  as  "  Pythagorean  Lodge  No.  79."  I  pre- 
sume, therefore,  that  it  received  its  original  warrant  in  1816  or  1817 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  It  acceded  to  the  union  of  1817, 
and  its  number  was  changed  from  79  to  21,  which  it  ever  afterwards 
retained.  A  few  years  ago  the  Lodge  came  near  extinction  by  the 
death  or  withdrawal  of  many  of  its  members,  and  a  want  of  zeal  or 
energy  in  those  who  remained.  But  the  members  having  prudently 
elected  Brother  C.  Fronebergcr  their  Master,  through  his  unwearied 
exertions  the  Lodge  was  revived  and  escaped  the  forfeiture  of  its  war- 
rant. It  is  now  one  of  the  most  zealous  and  prosperous  Lodges  in 
Charleston.  If,  as  I  suppose,  the  Lodge  was  organized  iu  1817,  its 
first  Master  was  the  Rev.  J.  Galluchat: 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  22,  Beaufort,  Beaufort  District.     There  was 


518  APPENDIX. 

an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  Beauforf  in  the  year  1807,  and  Low  much 
earlier  I  am  unable  to  say.  This  Lodge  bore  the  number  41  on  the 
registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  Having  joined  in  the  oppo- 
sition to  the  Union  of  1808,  it  assisted  the  next  year  in  the  revival  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  In  1817  it  acceded  to  the  second 
union  which  took  place  in  that  year,  and  wa-  placed  on  the  registry  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  as  "  Harmony  Lodge  No.  22."  It  was 
suspended  in  1828.  For  many  years  Masonry  seems  to  have  been 
extinguished  in  the  town  of  Beaufort.  A  spark,  however,  from  its 
altar  was  always  preserved  by  that  truly  zealous  Mason,  Brother  John 
M.  Baker,  who  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  old  Lodge,  and  had 
been  its  Master  in  1822.  Through  his  exertions  the  Lodge  was 
revived  and  the  warrant  restored,  March  4,  1851,  free  of  expense,  to 
the  following  officers:  John  M.  Baker,  W.  M.,  D.  L.  Thompson,  S. 
W.}  and  George  P.  Elliott,  J.   W.     The  Lodge  is  still  in  existence. 

Independent  Lodge  No.  23,  Due.  West,  Abbeville  District.  The 
warrant  of  Independent  Lodge  No.  23,  at  Due  West,  in  Abbeville 
District,  was  granted  December  27,  1855,  to  Wm.  Norton,  W.  M., 
II.  L.  Holland,  S.  W.,  and  J.  Y.  Sytton,  J.  W.  In  reply  to  my 
enquiries  Brother  Clinkscales,  late  Master,  states  that  "  there  never 
was  any  other  Lodge  in  Due  West.  In  this  vicinity  there  has  always 
been  great  opposition  to  Freemasonry.*  There  was,  however,  once  a 
Lodge  at  Scuffletown,  eight  miles  from  Due  West,  but  of  its  history  I 
know  nothing."  This  was,  I  think,  Uuion  Lodge  No.  34.  (&ee 
Clinton  Lothje  No.  3.) 

The  number  "  23  "  was  originally  attached  to  Perfect  Friendship 
Lodge  on  the  island  of  St.  Helena,  in  Beaufort  District,  which  was 
suspended  in  18-8,  and  has  never  been  revived.  When,  in  1854,  it 
was  determined  by  the  Grand  Lodge  to  fill  up  the  vacant  numbers  on 
the  registry  by  giving  them  to  new  Lodges,  23  was  appropriated  to 
Independent  Lodge  at  Due  West. 

WlLLIAMSTON  Lodge  No.  24,  Williamston,  Anderson  District. 
The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  on  December  1,  1855,  to  D.  J. 
Barnett,  W.  M,  F.  A.  Hoke,  S.  W.,  and  Jasper  Wilson,  J.  W. 

*  Due  West  is  the  seat  of  a  college  founded  and  controlled  by  the  Reformed 
Presbyterians,  or  Seceders,  a  church  that  has  always  been  opposed  to  secret 
societies.  In  1752  the  church  in  Scotland  excommunicated  all  its  members  who 
■were  affiliated  Freemasons. 


APPENDIX.  519 

On  the  7th  of  November,  1860,  the  building  in  which  the  Lodge 
timed  by  fire   and  nearly  all  of  the  property  of  the 
e,    including  its  warrant  of   constitution,   was  destroyed.      The 
i  d  Lod^e,  at  its  Communication  a  few  days  afterwards,  granted  a 
new  warrant,  free  of  all  expensi  ,  and  remitted  the  dues  of  the  Lodge. 
At  the  time   of  the   union,  in   1817,  No.    24  was  occupied  by  an 
i  nt  York  Lodge  at,  Beckhamsville,  which,  on  the  change  of  num- 
16,  (see  Beckhamsville  Lodge  No.   16,) 
and  21  was  appropriated  to  the  Lodge  at  Spartanburg,  which  had  pre- 
viously been  No.   16.     On  the  extinction,  about  the  year  1821,  of  the 
.  its  number  remained  unoccupied,  until,  in  conse- 
amcndinents  to  the  registry,  it  was  given  to  the  Lodge  at 
Williamston. 

Friendship  Lodge  No.  25,  Kirksey's  Cross  Roads,  Edgefield  Dis- 
trict. The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  issued  December  1,  1855,  to  Z. 
W.  C  8.  W.  Corley,  S.  jr.,  and  Rob.  Turner,  J.  W. 

Many  years  ago  this  vicinity  had  been  the  seat  of  a  Masonic  Lodge, 
li  bore   the   designation  of    'Edgefield  Lodge  No.  78,"  and  was 
held   at  "Kirksey's    Store."  ve  its  adhesion    to    the  union  of 

Grand    Lodges   in    1817,   and  received   the  number  46  on   the   new 
tfy.       Its    last   return    was   made   in    1826,  and    it   was   gradually 
from    the  roll  of  Lodges.     It   was  first  omitted  in  the  year 
a   further  account   of   this   Lodge,   see    Caldwell  Lodge 
No     -. 

There  was,  as  far  back  as  180(3,  a  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons 

numbered    25,    in     Union    District.       That    Lodge,    however,    must 

■   afterwards  become  extinct,  as  it  is  not  recorded  among  the 

es  which  wore  on  the  registry  of  the  revived  York  Grand  Lodge 

in    1800.     At  the  union   of  1 S 1 7   the   number   25,  which  was  then 

iven  to  the  Lodge  at  Marion  C.  II.     (See  Clinton  Lodge 

No.  (io.)     On  the  extinction  of  that  Lodge,  the  number  remained  un. 

pied  until  it  was  appropriated  to  Friendship  Lodge. 

■;tox  Lodge  No.  20,  TimmonsviUe,  Darlington  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  December  27,  1855,  to  William 
Brockinton,  W.  J/.,  Giles  Carter,  S.  W.,  and  Edward  J.  Conner,  J.  W. 
Timmonsville  is  a  new  place,  the  offspring  of  the  Wilmington  and 
Manch  ater  Railroad,  and  no  Lodge  was,  consequently,  ever  organized 
there  before  the  yea;-  1  i 


520  APPENDIX. 

Number  28  was  in  1817  attached  to  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at 
Jacksonboro',  which  however  soon  became  extinct.  The  number  was 
then  appropriated  to  a  Lodge  at  Sumtervillo,  which  bore  the. designation 
of  "  Sumterville  Lodge  No.  26."  (See  Claremont  Lodge  No.  64.)  On 
its  extinction,  the  number  remained  unoccupied  until  it  was  given  to 
Benton  Lodge  at  Timmonsville,  which  was  the  nearest  Lodge  to  Sum- 
terville, the  seat  of  the  old  Lodge. 

Buford  Lodge  No.  27,  Baford  Bridge,  Barnwell  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  \pril  19,  1856,  to  A.  P.  Aldrich, 
W.  M.,  J.  J.  Brabham,  S.   W.,  and  J.  M.  Williams,  J.  W. 

Number  27  was  formerly  occupied  by  a  Lodge  at  Hogg's  Store  in 
Newberry  District.  (See  Amity  Lodge  No.  87.)  On  its  extinction,  the 
number  remained  unoccupied  until  it  was  given  to  Buford  Lodge. 
Although  the  Lodge  at  this  place  is  of  recent  date,  much  Masonic  zeal 
has  been  exhibited  by  the  members,  who  have  already  organized  a 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  a  Council  of  Boyal  and  Select 
Masters. 

Orangeburg  Lodge  No.  28,  Orangeburg  C.  E.,  Orangeburg  Dis- 
trict. The  present  Lodge  received  its  warrant  December  6,  1853.  It 
was  directed  to  John  N.  Barillon,  W.  31.,  V.  D.  V.  Jamison,  S.  W., 
and  A.  G.  Kowe,  J.  W. 

Brother  Jamison  has  furnished  me  with  the  following  interesting 
items  respecting  Masonry  in  Orangeburg: 

"There  was,"  he  says,  "a  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  estab- 
lished in  the  town  on  the  31st  of  May,  1788,  with  Andrew  Leuthold 
as  W.  M.,  James  Carmichael,  S.  W.,  and  Joseph  Culpepper,  J.  .W. 
That  Lodge  worked,  until  about  1832  or  1833,  during  a  political  ex- 
citement in  the  State,  there  was  an  interregnum  of  about  twenty 
years.     The  Lodge  was  called  'Perfect  Friendship  No.  12.'" 

To  this  information,  I  am  enabled  to  add  a  few  items  derived  from 
other  sources,  and  to  correct  an  error  into  which  Brother  Jamison  has 
inadvertently  fallen. 

I  find  "  Lodge  No.  12,  at  Orangeburg,"  recorded  on  the  registry  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  in  1807  and  again  in  1817. 
It  did  not  therefore  accede  to  the  union  of  Grand  Lodges  in  1808, 
and  must  have  united  with  the  old  York  Grand  Lodge  on  its  revival 
-in  1809,  although  it  was  not  represented  in  the  Convention  at  Colum- 
bia, which  in  that  year  reorganized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.     In 


APPENDIX.  521 

1818  the  Master  and  members  surrendered  their  warrant  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  and  did  not  take  out  another.  This  was.  possibly, 
to  be  attributed  to  their  objections  to  the  union.  On  January  28, 
1825,  the  Grand  Lodge  received  an  application  "from  Thomas  Tatum, 
Thomas  J.  Goodwyn,  Samuel  Parsons,  James  Grimes  and  Lewis  Jones, 
of  Orangeburg,  praying  for  a  warrant  of  constitution."  But,  as  it 
was  unaccompanied  with  the  necessary  recommendations,  "  it  was 
referred  to  the  Grand  Master  to  be  granted  when  the  necessary  docu- 
ments should  be  received."  At  the  next  Grand  Communication  ou 
February  25,  1825,  this  petition  was  withdrawn,  and  another  presented 
by  the  same  persons,  who  are  now  described  as  "former  members  of 
Lodge  No.  12,  Orangeburg  District,  petitioning  for  a  return  of  their 
former  warrant  of  constitution  or  a  new  one  in  its  place."  This  peti- 
tion seems  to  have  met  with  some  difficulty,  for  there  was  a  long  dis- 
cussion on  the  subject,  and  it,  was  uot  until  the  meeting  ou  April  14, 
1825,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  consented  to  restore  the  warrant  to  the 
applicants,  "  on  their  paying  to  the  Grand  Lodge  any  arrears  which 
may  be  due,  or  on  paying  for  a  new  one  at  their  option."  A  new  war- 
rant was  accordingly  issued  under  the  date  of  April  14,  1S25,  to 
Thomas  Tatum,  IT'  31.,  Lewis  Jones,  S.  TF!,and  Thomas  J.  Goodwyn, 
J.  W.  The  Lodge  is  simply  designated  as  "  Lodge  No.  12,  in  Orange- 
burg." In  subsequent  registries  it  is  recorded  as  "  Orangeburg  Lodge 
No.  12."  The  revived  Lodge  does  not  appear  to  have  flourished.  It 
made  but  one  return,  and  was  formally  suspended  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
September  26,  1828.  A  new  Lodge  was  organized,  as  has  been 
already  stated,  in  1853,  which  received  the  number  28.  After  the 
suspension  of  the  old  Lodge,  the  number  12  was  given,  in  1837,  to  a 
new  Lodge  at  the  neighboring  settlement  of  Branehvillo.  {See 
Humility  Loih/e  No.  12.)  On  the  revival  of  the  Lodge  at  Orange- 
burg the  number  28  was  given  to  it  under  the  regulation  to  fill  all 
vacant  numbers.  No.  28  had  last  been  occupied  by  Floridian  Virtues 
Lodge,  at  St.  Augustine,  which  became  extinct  in  1828. 

Kershaw  Lodge  No.  29,  Camden,  Kershaw  District  Tn  the  year 
18,17  there  were  two  Lodges  in  South  Carolina  which  bore  the  number 
55.  One  was  JMt.  Moriali  Lodge  No.  55,  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  in 
Beaufort   District,  which  subsequently  became  No.  30,  and  the  other 

was  Kiishiiw  Lodge  No.  55,  at  Camden,  which  was  a  Lodge  of 
Modems  or  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  which,  on  the  change  of 
numbers  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.   V.  31.,  took  that  of  29,  which 


522  APPENDIX, 

number  was,  at  tint  time,  unoccupied  in  both  Grand  Lodges.  Ker- 
shaw Lodge  received  its  warrant  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  at  what  time  I  am  unable  to  say,  as  I  have  not 
received  the  required  information  from  the  archives  of  the  Lodge.  It 
could  not  however  have  been  long  anterior  to  1817,  as  I  find  only  two 
Lodges,  numbers  56  and  57,  above  it  on  the  register.  It  is  recorded 
by  Cole,  in  a  list  made  in  1816,  as  "  Kershaw  Lodge  No.  55,  at  Cam- 
den." I  think  it  probable  that  it  was  organized  but  a  few  years 
before.  The  Lodge  has  never  forfeited  its  warrant,  and  has  been  in 
existence  ever  since  its  original  organization. 

Ridgeway  Lodge  No.  30,  Ridgeway,  Fairfield  District.  The  war- 
rant of  this  Lodge  was  granted  September  2,  1856,  to  Geo.  R.  Hunter, 
W.  31,  James  D.  Davis,  S.  W.,  and  Win.  B.  Elkin,  J.  W. 

The  number  30  was  originally  appropriated  in  1818  to  Mount  Moriah 
Lodge,  at  Pipe  Creek,  Beaufort  District,  which  Lodge  was  declared 
extinct  in  1827.  The  number  remained  unoccupied  until  1858,  when 
it  was  bestowed  on  Ridgeway  Lodge.  I  have  received  no  information 
of  the  early  condition  of  Masonry  in  the  vicinity  of  this  Lodge.  A 
Chapter  of  R.  A.  Masons,  formerly  held  at  Flint  Hill,  has  recently 
been  removed  to  this  place. 

Recovery  Lodge  No.  31,  Greenville  C.  If.,  Greenville  District. 
Of  the  early  history  of  Masonry  in  Greenville  District,  I  have  ob- 
tained but  little  information.  Recovery  Lodge  was  a  Lodge  of 
(l  Moderns,"  and  derived  its  warraut  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South 
Carolina,  which  was  formed  by  the  union  in  1808.  At  the  union  in 
1S17, 1  find  it  recorded  on  the  registry  of  that  Grand  Lodge  as  No.  57; 
and  as  this  was  the  highest  number  on  the  registry,  it  is  to  be  supposed 
that  the  warrant  was  issued  in  the  year  1817,  or  at  the  earliest  iu  1816. 
In  1819,  Judge  Colcock,  a  Past  Grand  Master,  reported  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  that  "he  had  visited  Recovery  Lodge  No.  57,  at  Greenville, 
where  he  found  every  thing  in  good  order  and  the  Lodge  well  con- 
ducted." In  the  change  of  numbers,  which  took  place  subsequent  to 
the  union  of  1817,  the  Lodge  received  the  number  31,  which  it  has 
ever  since  retained.  Of  the  original  proprietors  of  this  number,  I  shall 
have  occasion  hereafter  to  speak.  In  1825  the  Lodge  made  a  return  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  the  last,  and  in  1827  it  was  suspended. 
On  December  4th,  1849,  the  Grand  Lodge  restored  the  warrant  on  the 
payment  of  the  fee  for  a  dispensation,  and  issued  it  to  T.  S.  Arthur,  W. 


APPENDIX.  523 


JC,  W.  B.  Lcavy,  S.  W.}  and  Robert  D.  Duncan,  J.W  The  Lodge 
has  since  continued  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  f  -a  of  he 
members  ha,  prompted  then,  to  organize  a  Chapter  of  Royal    Arch 

Masons,  and  a  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  both  of  winch  are 


now  in  existence.  t„W« 

The  original  Lodge  which  bad  the  number  31,  was  St.  John  s 
Lod-e  in  Charleston;  At  the  union  in  1817  it  took  the  number  13, 
and  Us  former  number  was  given  to  Reeovery  Lodge  For  an  account 
of  this  Lodge,  see  the  article  St.  Johns  Lodge  No.  13. 

Johnson  Lodge  No.  32,  W.  W.  Renmck'e,  Onion  Distrust.  A 
Warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  September  2,  1856,  to  Johnson 
LodVe  No  82,  at  Goshen  Hill  in  Union  District,  winch  has  since 
removed  to  W.  W.  Renwiek's.  The  warrant  was  issued  to-  A.  (.. 
Mavhin,  W.  M.J  11.  S.  Chick,  S.  W;  and  B.  Richards,  /.  W  Ihe 
LocW  is  named  in  honor  of  the  late  Governor  David  Johnson,  who  was 
Grand  Master  of  the  State  in  1826,  and  whose  residence  was  not  very 
far  from  the  site  of  the  Lodge. 

The  number  32  was  originally  occupied  by  Philanthropic  Lodge,  at 
Yorkville  On  its  extinction  the  number  remained  unappropriated, 
until  in  1856  it  was  given  to  Johnson  Lodge.  {See  1  hilanthropic 
Lodge  No.  78.) 

AURORA   LODGE   No.    33,     Clio,    Marlboro'    District       This  Lodge 
received  its  warrant  on  November  12,  1856,  issued  to  D  MoD^ MeLeod 
U-    V     J     \.    McRae,    S.    W.,  and   James  N.   Alford,  J.    W.  .  It  was 
the  first  Lodge  established  at  the  place,  and  its  records  supply  no  infor- 
mation of  the  early  history  of  Masonry. 

Number  33  was  originally  occupied  by  a  Lodge  at  Cambridge,  which 
became  extinct  in  1822.  {See  Eureka  Lodge  No.  47.) 


Pendleton  Lodge  No.  34,  Pendleton,  Indent*  District*    The 
present  Pendleton  Lodge  No.  34,  was  constituted  by  a  warrant  issued 

TTa,,,  greatl,  mdebte  I  to  Brother  Geo.  Seabom,and,  through  him  to  Brother. 
j.  v.  Sha^klm  and  Robert  Brackenndge,  aged  Masons  and  ™^£\™ 
Lodge  a1  Pendleton,  for  interesting  information,  which  I  have  fa. y  «djf*j 
to  whom  I  addressed  circulars,  had  taken  the  same  pains  as  Brother  Seaborn^ an 
a  few  others,  to  acquire  and  communicate  information,  those  brief  sketches  might 
have  been  made  more  interesting. 


524  APPENDIX. 

December  27,  1848,  to  Geo.  Seaborn,  W.  31.,  David  S.  Taylor,  S.  W., 
and  Samuel  E.  Maxwell,  J.  W. 

Brother  Brackenridge  states  that  "No.  63  was  the  first  Lodge  ever 
opened  at  Pendleton,  and  I  think  it  was  in  1810.  The  Lodge  con- 
tinued four  or  five  years  before  it  became  extinct,  the  last  Master  being 
Tho.  Harrison."  The  venerable  Brother  has,  I  believe,  erred  in  the 
number  of  the  Lodge.  In  1817  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  A. 
Y.  M.,  records  the  Lodge  at  Pendleton  as  being  No.  64,  but  it  is  not 
reported  as  having  acceded  to  the  terms  of  the  union,  and  I  find  no 
further  notice  of  it  in  the  subsequent  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  A.  F.  M.  Brother  B.  is  probably  right  as  to  the  active  duration  of 
the  Lodge.  Brother  Seaborn,  speaking  of  this  primitive  Lodge,  says 
that  "  from  some  bad  feeling  that  sprung  up  among  its  members  it 
went  down  some  years  after  its  organization."  Brother  S.  adds,  that 
"on  the  21st  of  December,  1818,  a  warrant  of  constitution  was 
granted  to  Tho.  Harrison,  W.  31.,  Joseph  Van  Shanklin,  S.  W.,  and 
John  McMillan,  J.  W.,  authorizing  them  to  renew  the  old  Lodge." 
The  number  given  in  this  warrant  was  34,  and  it  is  now  in  the  archives 
of  the  Lodge.  The  Lodge,  however,  never  went  into  operation,  in 
consequence  of  Mr.  Harrison's  removal  from  the  District.  I  can  find 
no  uotice  of  this  Lodge  in  the  transactions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
1818,  but  the  number  34  was  left  vacant  on  the  registry  for  a  few 
years,  perhaps  in  consequence  of  the  Lodge  making  no  returns,  and  the 
Grand  Secretary  being  ignorant  of  its  condition.  At  length,  in  1821, 
number  34  was  given  to  Union  Lodge  in  Abbeville  District,  which  had 
previously  ranked  as  62  on  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y. 
M.  This  Lodge  was  suspended  in  1827,  and  on  the  revival  of 
Masonry  in  Pendleton  in  1848,  number  34,  then  vacant,  was  appro- 
priated to  the  new  Lodge  in  that  village,  at  the  special  request  of  its 
members. 

Fraternity  Lodge  No.  35,  Adam's  Run,  Colleton  District.  The 
warrant  was  granted  on  December  2,  1856,  to  James  C.  Meggett,  W. 
31.;  H.  Dickson  Corbett,  &  W.;  and  Edward  D.  LaRoche,  J.  W. 
Adam's  Hun  is  a  village  of  comparatively  recent  growth,  and  this  is 
the  first  and  only  Lodge  ever  organized  in  it.  The  number  was 
formerly  occupied  by  Prudence  Lodge  No.  35,  of  Charleston,  which 
surrendered  its  charter  in  1827.  It  had  previously  been  46  on  the 
registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina. 


APPENDIX.  525 

LaCandeur   Lodge  No.  30,  Charleston.     LaCandcnr  Lodge  No. 
12  was  instituted  at  Cliarleston,  ou  the  24th  of  August,  170(3,  by  the 
Grand  Lodge   of  F.   and   A.    M.  of  S.    C.     It  was   fouuded  by  Jean 
Baptist*  Marie    de    la  Ilogue,   celebrated   in    the    history  of  Scottish 
Masonry  in  this  country.     By  a  special  understanding  at  the  time  of 
its  organisation,  the  Lodge,  being   composed  entirely  of  Frenchmen, 
was  permitted  to  work  in  the  French  Rite.     It  consequently  took  little 
interest  in  the  disputes  between  the  "  Ancients"  and  the  "  Moderns" 
of  the  American  Lodges.     In  1808  it  joined  its  Mother  Grand  Lodge 
in  the  union   which  then    took  place,  and  in    1800,    its  number  was 
changed    from    12    to    30,  which    latter   it   ever   afterwards  retained. 
Nearly  all  of  its  members  being  Roman  Catholics,  the  influence  of  the 
church  so  much  prevailed  as  at  length  to  produce  a  dissolution  of  the 
Lodge,  which,  in   1852,  surrendered  its  charter.     A  few  of  the  mem- 
bers who  still  desired  to  retain  their  connection  with   Masonry,  united 
with  Washington   Lodge  No.  5.     The  fee  for  life  membership  of  these 
in  Washington  Lodge  was  paid  out  of  the  funds  of  LaCandeur,  appro- 
priated just  before  its  dissolution.     This  act  was  condemned  of  by  the 
Grand  Lodge,  which   adopted   a  resolution    declaring  that   "it  disap- 
proved of  any  Lodge  making  a    distribution  of  its  funds  preparatory  to 
surrendering    its    warrant,    as    the  said   funds    reverted  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  be  held  in  trust  until   the   Lodge  was    resuscitated."     No 
farther  action  was  taken  on  the  subject.      In  June,  1S:">7,  the  warrant 
was  revived  and  issued  to  John  A.  Wagner,   IT.  J/.,  Win.  Diersen,  £. 

W.,  and  S.  J.  Runken,  J.  IF     The  Lodge  was  required  to  work  in  the 

English  language  and  in  the  York  Rite. 

Centre  Lodge  No.  37,  Tlonm  Path,  Anderson  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  on  September  1,  1857,  and  was 
issued  to  W.  P.  Martin,  IF.  M.,  J.  J.  McPeth,  S.  IF.,  and  Noah  R. 
Reeve,  J.  IF  It  is  one  of  those  many  Lodges  which  have  sprung  out 
of  old  Clinton  Lodge  at  Abbeville  C.  EL 

No.  37  was  formerly  occupied  by  St  John's  Lodge  at  Santee,  which 
had  been  an  Ancient  York  Lodge,  numbered  as  65  on  the  registry  of 
the  Grand  Lodirc  of  A.  Y.  M.,  and  whose  number  was  changed  at  the 
union  in  1  si  7.  It  became  extinct  in  1828,  and  the  number  was  sub- 
sequently given  to  Centre  Lodge. 

ALLEN  Lodge  No.  38,  Bamberg,  Barnwell  District  The  warrant 
of  this  Lodge  was  granted  June  2,  1857,  to  J.  D.  Allcu,   W.   M.,  E. 


526  APPENDIX. 

T.  Edgerton,  S.  W.,  W.  T.  Easteflin,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  was  named 
after  the  Hon.  Joseph  D.  Allen,  its  first  Master,  who  presented  the 
Lodge  with  its  furniture  and  jewels.  It  owns  a  neat  and  commodious 
hall,  on  the  around  floor  of  which  an  excellent  school  is  kept,  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Lodge.  The  members  of  the  Lodge  have  also 
organized  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter  and  a  Royal  and  Select  Council. 

No.  38  was  formerly  occupied  by  St.  Alban's  Lodge  at  Darlington 
C.  H.,  which  was  suspended  iu  1828.     (See  St.  David's  Lodje  No.  72.) 

Richland  Lodge  No.  39,  Columbia,  Richland  District.  There 
was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  Granby,  a  few  miles  from  Columbia, 
which  was  in  existence  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  At  the 
time  of  the  Revolution  it  seems  to  have  suspended  its  labors,  for  it  was 
revived,  in  1785,  at  Saxe-G-otha.  As  its  existence  was  anterior  to  that 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons,  which  was  established 
in  1787,  it  could  not  have  derived  its  warrant  from  that  body,  but 
whence  it  received  its  authority  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn.  In 
1790  this  Lodge,  which  was  known  as  No.  10,  removed  from  Granby 
to  Columbia,  ^  here  it  continued  to  meet  until  its  extinction.  In  1808 
it  acceded  to  the  union  which  then  took  place  between  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  State,  and  at  first  refused  to  take  any  part  in  the  revival 
of  the  old  York  Grand  Lodge,  but,  subsequently,  it  transferred  its 
allegiance  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  to  the  revived 
Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  under  whose  jurisdiction  it  remained  until 
its  extinction.  This  must  have  taken  place  before  1816,  for  in  the 
registry  of  1817  it  is  stated  to  have  been  "for  some  time  extinct." 
The  chest  with  the  furniture  and  records  of  the  Lodge  were,  in  1819, 
placed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  charge  of  Lodge  No.  39,  to  be  kept 
"until  the  further  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge."  In  1821  the  jewels 
and  furniture  of  Lodge  No.  10  were  sold,  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  to 
Churchill  Lodge  No.  19,  in  Abbeville  District.  The  old  record  book 
still  remains  iu  the  archives  of  Richland  Lodge  No.  39. 

After  the  extinction  of  Lodge  No.  10,  another  Lodge  was  organized 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  iu  Columbia.  This  Lodge  appears 
on  the  registry  of  that  body  iu  1817,  as  "  Lodge  No.  08."  In  the  year 
1818,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  made  an  absolute  gift  to  it  of  one  of 
the  best  lots  in  the  principal  street  of  the  town,  with  the  consideration 
that  the  Lodge  should  build  a  hall  and  allow  the  use  of  it  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  Market  and  the  conductors  of  an,  academy.  I'pon 
this  lot  of  ground  I  think  the   Masonic  Hall  was  afterwards  built  by 


APPENDIX.  527 

Lodsre  No.  39.  In  1819  tho  designation  of  the  Lodge  was  changed  to 
"  Columbia  Lodge  No.  39."  It  made  no  returns  after  1825,  aod  in 
183  >  it  was  suspended.  I  do  not  know  if  it  immediately  obeyed  the 
mandate  of  suspension,  but,  in  1836,  official  notice  of  its  extinction 
was  received  from  its  late  Secretary.  The  property  of  the  Lodge,  con- 
sisting of  a  handsome  ball,  was  sold  by  order  of  the  Court  of  Equity, 
and,  after  the  liquidation  of  its  debts,  the  sum  of  $834  97  was  paid  by 
the  Master  in  Equity  into  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand 
Master  having  granted  a  dispensation  for  the  revival  of  the  Lodge  in 
1841,  on  September  24,  1841,  the  warrant  of  the  Lodge  was  returned, 
and  it  was  thenceforth  designated  as  ''  Richland  Lodge  No.  39."  The 
warrant  was  issued  to  M.  II.  DeLeon,  11'.  4/.,  M.  G.  Shaffer,  S.  11'., 
and  Tho.  11.  Wade, ./.  W.  The  Lod»e  has  since  continued  in  active  ex- 
istence. Masonry  is,  at  this  time,  in  a  flourishing  condition  in  the  city 
of  Columbia,  where  we  find  three  Lodges,  a  R.  A.  Chapter,  a  Council 
of  K.  and  S.  Masters,  a  Lodge  of  Perfection  and  a  Council  of  Kadosh. 

Winyaw  Lodge  No.  40,  Georgetown,  Georgetown  District.  There 
was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  Georgetown,  in  the  year  1807,  which 
bore  the  number  23.  What  was  the  date  of  its  organization  I  have 
been  unable  to  ascertain.  This  Lodge  must  subsequently  have  become 
extinct,  as  I  find  it  so  recorded  in  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
A.  Y.  M.  in  1817.  Dut  between  1809  and  1817  another  Lodge  was 
constituted  at  Georgetown  by  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M., 
and  it  is  recorded  in  1817  as  giving  its  consent  to  the  union  of  that 
year.  It  was  then  known  as  "Lodge  No.  69."  Its  number  was 
changed  in  1818,  and  from  that  time  it  has  been  known  as  "Winyaw 
Lodge  No.  40."  The  new  charter  issued  December  21,  1818,  desig- 
nates John  L.  Wilson,  W.  M ,  Isaac  Carr,  S.  11'.,  and  John  Patterson, 
J.  W.  After  this  it  seems  to  have  been  very  irregular  in  its  trans- 
actions with  the  Graud  Lodge.  In  1827,  when  it  made  a  brief  return 
but  paid  no  dues,  it  owed  the  large  sum  of  $4G4.  In  1828  the  Lodge 
was  suspended,  but  does  not  seem  to  have  ceased  to  work,  for  various 
communications  passed  between  the  Lodge  and  the  Grand  Lodge;  and, 
finally,  in  1831,  upon  the  payment  of  $150  by  the  Lodge,  it  was 
restored  to  all  its  rights  and  privileges,  and  in  1832  a  new  warrant  was 
issued,  in  place  of  the  old  one  which  had  been  lost  or  mislaid.  I  have 
sin  ■  ■  discovered  that  old  warrant,  and  it  is  now  in  the  archives  of  the 
Grand  Lod;jc.  The  Lodge  again  became  irregular,  and  is  marked  on 
the  registry  of  1850  as   being   suspended   for  non-payment   of  dues. 


52S  APPENDIX. 

The  Lodge,  however,  from  some  misunderstanding,  continued  to  work 
notwithstanding  its  suspension.  In  1858  it  was  fully  restored,  a  new 
warrant  being  granted,  and  is  now  in  active  operation. 

Georgetown  was  once  a  prominent  place  in  the  Masonry  of  the 
State,  and  was  the  seat  of  a  flourishing  Chapter,  and  an  Encampment 
of  Knights  Templar,  both  of  which  are  now  extinct. 

St.  John's  Lodge  No.  41,  Bluffton,  Beaufort  District.  The  war- 
rant was  issued  September  1,  1857  to  John  A.  Seabrook,  W.  M.,  W. 
H.  Anderson,  S.  W.,  and  P.  F.  Meggett,  J.  W.  There  never  was  a 
previous  Lodge  at  the  place.  Number  41  was  originally  the  desig- 
nation of  the  Lodge  at  Beaufort,  which  was  changed  in  1  bl9  for  22. 
As  Bluffton  is  the  nearest  Lodge  to  Beaufort,  the  vacant  number  was 
apppropriately  bestowed  upon  it,  when  those  numbers  were  being 
filled  up. 

Tyrian  Lodge  No.  42,  Erwinton,  Barnwell  District.  The  warrant 
of  this  Lodge  was  issued  June  2,  1857,  to  llobert  Martin,  W.  31.,  J. 
I).  Erwin,  6'.  W.,  and  W.  B.  Warren,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  is  still 
in  existence,  but  I  have  received  no  information  in  relation  to  its 
history.  The  number  formerly  belonged  to  two  Lodges  in  the  State. 
To  Perfect  Friendship  No.  42,  on  the  island  of  St.  Helena,  which,  at 
the  change  of  numbers  in  1818,  became  23,  and  then  to  Fair  Harmony, 
at  Liberty  Hill,  Fairfield  District,  which  was  originally  72,  but  at  the 
change  of  numbers  took  42,  and  retained  it  until  its  extinction  about 
the  year  1828.      Both  had  originally  been  Ancient  York  Lodges. 

Eureka  Lodge  No.  43,  Adamsville,  Marlboro'  District.  The  war- 
rant was  issued  November  17,  1858,  to  J.  J.  Herndon,  W.  31.,  T.  T. 
Bethea,  S.  W.,  and  J.  L.  Easterling,  J.  W.  This  was  an  offshout 
from  Marlboro'  Lodge  No.  88,  and  was  principally  instituted  by  mem- 
bers of  that  Lodge  for  the  greater  convenience  of  their  dwellings. 
Number  43  was  formerly  the  designation  of  a  Lodge  at  Union  Court 
House,  which  became  extinct  in  1831.     (*S'ee  Union  Ludjc  No.  75.) 

Campbell  Lodge  No.  44,  Clinton,  Laurens  District.  The  warrant 
was  granted  November  18,  1858,  to  Elias  Bearden,  W.  31.,  D.  S. 
Henry,  S.  W.,  and  Tho.  H.  Pitts,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  was  one  of  the 
offspring  of  Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19,  and  received  its  name  in  honor  of 
Brother  B.  Bush  Campbell,  a  zealous  Past  Master  of  that  L.odj,e,  and 


APPENDIX.  509 

now  the  Grand  Master  of  the  State.  Number  44  was  originally  the 
designation  of  a  Lodge  at  Newberry  Court  House,  which  became 
extinct  about  the  year  1832.  (See  Amity  Lodge  Xo.  87.) 

Effingham  Lodge  No.  45,  Effingham,  Marion  District.  The 
warrant  was  issued  November  18,  1858,  to  J.  Maxcy  Timmous,  W.  M., 
J.  Morgau  Timmons,  S.  W.,  David  E.  Cole,  J.  W.  Number  45  was 
formerly  appropriated  to  Eden  Lodge,  at  Clarendon,  in  Sumter  District, 
which  surrendered  its  warrant  in  1823. 

Kingstree  Lodge  No.  46,  Kingstree,  Williamsburg  District.  The 
warrant  was  issued  November  30,  1858,  to  Samuel  W.  Maurice,  W.  M., 
Angus  McKenzie,  S.  W.,  and  Robert  Henry,  J.  W.  Number  46  was 
originally  held  by  the  Lodge  at  Kirksey's  Store,  but  had  been  vacant 
from  1826,  until  appropriated  to  the  Lodge  at  Kingstree.  (See  Friend- 
ship Lodge  No.  25.) 

Brother  Maurice,  who  has  taken  much  pains  to  obtain  and  commu- 
nicate information  in  relation  to  the  history  of  Masonry  in  Williams- 
burg District,  says:  "  There  is  a  tradition,  whether  well  founded  or 
not,  I  cannot  say,  that  there  was  a  Lodge  at  Kingstree  some  twenty  or 
thirty  years  ago.  The  name  and  time  of  extinction  I  cannot  learn." 
His  mother  also  informed  him,  that  when  she  was  just  grown,  which 
must  have  been  about  1811,  there  was  a  Lodge  at  Black  Mingo,  a 
small  town  in  the  lower  part  of  the  District,  which  met  over  a  store. 
Brother  N.  G.  Rick  also  says,  that  he  knows  that,  in  1833,  the  jewels 
of  an  old  Lodge  at  Kingstree  were  in  the  possession  of  Daniel 
McWilliams,  a  Mason,  and  that,  at  his  death,  they  were  sold  by  his 
executor,  who  was  uot  a  Mason,  being  included  in  the  general  schedule 
of  his  effects. 

The  old  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  show  that  the  traditions,  in  this 
instance,  were  founded  on  facts,  and  I  am  able  from  them  to  supply 
some  data  which  Brothers  Maurice  and  Rich  were  unable  to  obtain. 
The  earliest  notice  of  a  Lodge  that  I  find  in  Williamsburg  District,  is 
in  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  for  1807,  which 
records  "  Lodge  No.  21,  at  Black  Mingo."  How  many  years  previously 
it  had  existed,  I  am  unable  to  say.  There  was  at  that  time  no  Lodge 
at  Kingstree.  But  in  1817  I  find  the  record  of -"Lodge  No.  70,  at 
Kingstree,"  which  must  have  been  warranted,  therefore,  between  1807 
and  1817.  Both  of  these  were  Ancient  York  Lodges,  and  acceded  to 
the  union  in  1817.  They  do  not  seem,  however,  to  have  taken  out 
34 


530  APPENDIX. 

new  warrants,  and  are  never  mentioned  after  1817  in  the  records  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  A.    F.  M  S.  C     I  suppose  that  they  soon   after 

became  extinct.     The  union,  although   accepted,  still  excite 
cases,  conscientious  scruples,  and  several  Lodges  were  dissolved  in  con- 
sequence, by  refusing  to  accept  new   warrants.     The  Lodge  :it  Black 
Mingo  did  not  consent  to  the  union  of  1808,  and   transferred   its  alle- 
giance to  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M. 

Eureka  Lodge  No.  47,  Ninety- Six,  Abbeville  District.  The  war- 
rant was  issued  November  17,  1858,  to  J.  W.  Calhoun,  W.  M.,  J.  TV. 
Fooshe,  S.  W.,  and  S.  A.  Crawford,  J.  W.  At  Cambridge,  an  old 
town  about  two  miles  from  the  present  village  of  Niuety-Six,  there 
was,  in  1807,  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  which  bore  the  number  "40," 
but  which  number  was,  in  1808,  changed  to  "58."  This  Lodge 
refused  to  accede  to  the  union  of  180I"1  but  did  tu  that  of  1817,  and, 
under  the  united  Grand  Lodg^  of  A.  F.  \\  took  the  designation  of 
"Cambridge  Lodge  No.  33."  This  Lodg<  became  extinct  in  1823. 
The  present  number,  "47,"  which  has  been  given  to  Eureka  Lodge, 
was  last  occupied  by  La  Esperanza  Lodge  No  17,  at  St.  Augustine  in 
Florida,  which  was  suspended  in  1827. 

Lebanon  Lodge   No.    48,   Myersvilh,  Z)<                                   The 

warrant  was  issued  November  18,  18f>;  •!    11. 

Pearson,  S.    W.,  and   S.   1).    M.    Byrd,  J  N«                       irmerly 

occupied  by  a  Lodge  at  Pocotaligo.     [S  .                 L<»hjf  No.  98.) 

"Wallace  Lodge  No.  49,  Martin  Wallace'  Laurens  District. 
The  warrant  was  issued  November  17,  1858.  to  Win.  Power,  W.  M., 
A.  W.  Burnside,  S.   \V.,  and  11.  J.    'oop  r,  J.  This  is  one  of  the 

few  Lodges  in  the  State  which  recei  without  a  previous 

dispensation.  It  is  like  Campbell  L  >dge  No  I  ■•.  an  offshoot  from  Pal- 
metto No.  19.  No  Lodge  ever  existed  previously  in  that  vicinity. 
Its  number  was  formerly  occupied  by  Mount  Pleasant  Lodge  No.  49, 
at  Dutchman's  Creek  in  Fairfield  District.  The  warrant  of  that  Lodge 
was  issued,  in  1820,  to  Zachariah  Nettles,  W.  31.  It  was  suspended 
in  1827. 

Concordia  Lodge  No.  50,  E<lgefield  C.  77.,  Ecbjefiehl  Di.irict. 
There  were  two  Lodges  in  Edg"fie!d  District  in  the  year  1807,  both 
Ancient  York,  viz :  No.  35  at  Campbellton;  and  No.  54  at  Higgius' 


APPENDIX.  531 

Ferry.  In  1817  the  former  of  these  had  become  extinct,  but  the  latter 
was  still  in  existence,  and  there  was  another  at  Abney's  Store  num- 
bered as  78.  No.  54  retained  its  number  after  the  union,  but  that  of 
78  was  changed  to  46.  For  a  further  account  of  Lodge  No.  54  see 
Hamburg  Lodge  No.  67.  For  an  account  of  No.  46  see  Friendship 
Lodge  No.  25.  On  December  14,  1827,  a  warrant  was  issued  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Lodge  at  Edgefield  C.  H.,  to  be  named  "Edgefield 
Social  Lodge  No.  58,"  with  the  following  officers :  John  Bauskett,  U". 
31.,  Samuel  II.  Butler,  S.  W.,  and  Robert  G.  Quarles,  J.  W.  This 
Lodge  does  not  appear  to  have  been  very  successful,  for  it  made  no 
returns,  and  no  further  notice  is  taken  of  it  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  after  1828.  It  must,  I  think,  have  soon  become  extinct. 
On  September  25,  1840,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  Alex.  M.  McCaine, 
TF.  31,  John  Kirksey,  S.  W.,  and  Robert  McCullough,  J.  W.,  to 
institute  Lodge  No.  50  at  Edgefield  C.  H.  The  Lodge  then  took  the 
name  of  Concordia.  But  it  did  not  continue  long,  and,  on  June  4, 
1844,  a  new  warrant  was  granted  for  its  revival,  which  was  directed  to 
Robert  McCullough,  W.  31.  The  Lodge  is  now  in  successful  operation, 
and  there  is  a  R.  A.  Chapter  and  R.  and  S.  Council  at  the  same  place. 
No.  50  was  formerly  occupied  by  La  Constancia  Lodge  at  Havana, 
which,  in  1821,  must  have  united  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Cuba 
formed  in  that  year. 

Claiborne  Lodge  No.  51,  Claiborne,  Alabama.  The  warrant  of 
this  Lodge  was  granted  June  25,  1819,  to  John  Murphy  as  W.  31. 
On  the  establishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama,  in  1821,  the 
Lodge  came  uuder  its  jurisdiction,  and  is  now,  I  suppose,  Alabama 
Lodge  No.  3,  at  Claiborne,  on  the  registry  of  the  Crand  Lodge  of 
Alabama.  The  number  has  never  been  filled  up  on  the  South  Carolina 
registry. 

Mackey  Lodge  No.  52,  Hickory  Grove,  Edgefield  District.  A 
warrant  was  granted  November  17,  1858,  to  S.  G.  Mobley,  W.  31., 
Theophilus  Doan,  S.  W.,  and  W.  L.  Coleman,  J.  11".,  to  open  a  Lodge 
to  be  called  "  Mackey  Lodge  No.  52,"  at  Fruit  Hill,  in  Edgefield  Dis- 
trict. In  consequence  of  a  disappointment  in  obtaining  a  hall  at  the 
contemplated  locality,  the  idea  of  permanently  establishing  a  Lodge 
there  was  abandoned,  and  on  a  new  petition,  a  warrant  was  granted 
November  17,  1859,  for  a  Lodge  to  be  held  at  Hickory  Grove  in  the 
same  District,  with  the  same  name  and  number.     This  warrant  was 


532  APPENDIX. 

issued  to  John  Quattlebaurn,  W.  M.,  Theophilus  Doan,  S.  W,  and 
Wm.  L.  Stevens,  J.  W.  This  Lodge  is  now  in  successful  operation. 
Number  52  was  formerly  occupied  by  La  Amenidad  Lodge  No.  52,  at 
Havana,  in  the  Island  of  Cuba,  which  was  constituted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  South  Carolina,  March  31,  1820.  On  the  establishment  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  Cuba,  in  the  year  1821, 
La  Amenidad  Lodge  surrendered  its  warrant,  and  took  one  from  that 
Grand  Lodge.  In  1823  the  number  was  given  to  a  Lodge  at  the  vil- 
lage of  Manchester,  which  became  extinct  in  1830.  {See  Claremont 
Lodge  No.  64.)  The  number  then  remained  vacant  until  it  was  be- 
stowed on  Mackey  Lodge. 

Jackson  Lodge  No.  53,  Lancaster  C.  II. ,  Lancaster  District. 
There  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  in  Lancaster  District  in  1807, 
which  bore  the  number  33  I  am  unacquainted  with  its  history  or  its 
precise  locality.  Negrin's  registry  of  1807  simply  says  "  it  meets  in 
Lancaster  County."  In  1817  this  Lodge  was  extinct.  The  registry 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  for  1817  records  a  Lodge  in  Lancas- 
ter District,  designated  by  number  73.  Warrentou  Lodge  No.  24, 
which  afterwards  became  No.  16,  was  also  at  that  time  in  existence, 
and  also  Lodge  No.  72,  at  Liberty  Hill,  which  at  the  union  in  1817 
became  No.  42,  and  in  1820  removed  from  Liberty  Hill  to  Warrenton. 
Both  of  these  Lodges  were  in  the  vicinity  of  Lancasterville.  But  the 
first  authentic  notice  that  I  find  of  a  Lodge  at  that  village  is  in  1823, 
on  the  5th  December*  of  which  year  a  warrant  was  granted  to  "  Lodge 
No.  53,  at  Lancasterville,"  the  first  officers  being  Robert  W.  Gill,  W. 
31.,  Robert  M.  Crockett,  S.  W.,  and  Willis  W.  Alsobrook,  J.  W.  The 
Lodge  was  named  Jackson,  in  honor  of  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson,  who  was 
thought  to  be  a  native  of  Lancaster  District. f  In  1828  this  Lodge  be- 
came extinct,  in  consequence  of  the  anti-masonic  excitement  which 
prevailed  at  that  period.  The  warrant  of  the  present  Lodge  was  issued 
March  2,  1847,  to  John  T.  Andrews,  W.  M.  (who  had  been  the  last 
Master  of  the  old  Lodge),  P.  T.  Hammond,  S.  W.,  and  Eli  C  Bishop, 


*  Although  granted  at  that  date,  I  learn  from  an  old  record  of  the  Lodge  that 
the  instrument  was  dated  March  1,  1824.  The  Lodge  was  constituted  by  John 
Barker,  Grand  Lecturer,  on  the  12th  March,  1824. 

f  This  was  thought  at  that  time  to  be  the  fact.  Parton  has  since  shown  that 
the  birth-place  of  the  old  hero  was  in  North  Carolina,  about  two  miles  beyond  the 
line  of  Lancaster  District.     PartoiCs  Life  of  Jackson. 


APPENDIX.  533 

J.  W.     The  Lodge  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  has  a  Chap- 
ter and  Council  connected  with  it. 

St.  Peter',?  Lodge  No.  54,  Manning,  Clarendon  District.  The 
warrant  was  issued  November  17,  1859,  to  Charles  T.  Mason,  11\  M., 
Dudley  E.  Hodge,  S.  W.,  and  Wm.  J.  Clark,  ./.  11".  Manning  is  a 
new  place,  and  the  Lodge  has  no  early  history  of  Masonry  connected 
with  it.  Number  54  was  formerly  occupied  by  Social  Lodge  at  Ham- 
burg.    (See  Harmony  Lodge  No.  67.) 

Unity  Lodge  No.  55,  Wallerboro,  Colleton  District.  The  original 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  April  14,  1825,  to  John  Oswald, 
11".  M.,  Richard  W.  White, &  IF.,  and  James  W.  Monk,  J.  W.  The 
Lodge  was  suspended  September  26,  1828.  The  warrant  was  restored 
free  of  charge  December  2,  1851,  and  the  claim  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
to  the  property  of  the  old  Lodge  was  surrendered  to  the  restored  one. 
There  is  a  record  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that  a  war- 
rant was  granted  to  "Lodge  No.  63,"  at  Walterboro,  May  11,1842, 
but,  having  neither  paid  for  its  warrant  nor  made  any  return,  the  war- 
rant was  forfeited  in  December,  1846.  I  presume  that  the  Lodge 
was  never  actually  organized. 

Catawba  Lodge  No.  56,  Fort  Mill,  York  District.  The  warrant 
was  issued  November  18,  1859,  to  John  M.  White,  Jr.  M.,  B.  M. 
Cobb,  S.  11",  and  B.  F.  Powell,  J.  W.  This  Lodge  is  an  offshoot 
from  Philanthropic  Lodge  at  Yorkville,  and  has  no  early  history  con- 
nected with  it.  No.  56  was  formerly  occupied  by  Fellowship  Lodge 
in  St.  George's  Parish,  Colleton  District.  (See  Harmony  Lodge 
No.  61.) 

Mount  Willing  Lodge  No.  57,  Mount  Willing,  Edgefield  District. 
The  warrant  was  granted  November  17,  1859,  to  G.  M.  Yarborough, 
W.  M.,  V.  A.  Herlong,  S.  W.,  and  A.  F.  Langsford,  J.  W.  I  know 
of  no  special  history  of  Masonry  connected  with  the  Lodge.  No.  57 
was  formerly  occupied  by  the  Lodge  at  Abbeville  C.  H.  (See  Clinton 
Lodge  No.  3.) 

Mount  Moriau  Lodge  No.  58,  White  Plains,  Chesterfield  District. 
The  dispensation  for  this  Lodge  was  granted  August  15,  1859,  to  R. 
II.  McKinnon,   W.   M.,  J.  II.  Blair,  S.    W.,  and  Amos   McManus.  ./. 


534  APPENDIX. 

W.  The  Grand  Lodge  declined  to  issue  a  warrant  at  its  next  meeting 
in  November,  at  the  request  of  a  neighboring  Lodge  which  desired  to 
obtain  further  information  of  the  character  of  the  new  Lodge.  But 
this  being  found  satisfactory,  a  warrant  was  granted  November  21, 
1860,  and  the  Lodge  is  now  in  successful  operation.  The  number  58 
was  formerly  occupied  by  the  Lodge  at  Edgefield  C.  H.  (See  Concor- 
dia Lodge  No.  50.) 

Butler  Lodge  No.  59,  Claryton,  Edgefield  District.  The  warrant 
was  granted  December  6,  1853,  to  John  A.  Chapman,  W.  M.,  Henry 
Mason,  S.  W.,  and  R.  M.  Scurry,  J.  W.  In  1816  there  was  an 
Ancient  York  Lodge,  numbered  as  78,  held  at  Capt.  Abney's  Store, 
which  Brother  Talbert,  of  Caldwell  Lodge  No.  82,  thinks  was  about 
where  Butler  Lodge  now  meets.  In  1818  the  number  of  this  Lodge 
was  changed  to  46.  On  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  it  was  known 
as  "Edgefield  Lodge."  In  1823  it  removed  to  Kirksey's  Store,  and 
subsequently  met,  according  to  Brother  Talbert,  at  Liberty  Hill.  It 
made  no  returns  after  1826,  and  was  soon  after  suspended. 

No.  59  was  formerly  occupied  by  a  Lodge  at  Cedar  Springs  in  Abbe- 
ville District.     (See  Clinton  Lodge  No.  3.) 

Clinton  Lodge  No.  60,  Marion  C.  H.,  Marion  District.  There 
was  a  Lodge  in  1807,  at  John  McRee's,  in  Marion  District,  whose 
number  on  the  Ancient  York  registry  was  48.  It  had,  at  that  time, 
been  in  existence  for  several  years.  It  took  an  active  part  in  the 
revival  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  in  1809,  at  which  time  it  had 
removed  to  Marion  C  H.,  but  in  1817  it  acceded  to  the  final- union, 
and  was  placed  on  the  new  registry  as  "  Marion  Lodge  No.  25."  In 
1828  it  was  suspended.  On  December  27,  1833,  a  warrant  for  a  new 
Lodge  at  Marion  C.  H.,  to  be  designated  as  "  Clinton  Lodge  No.  60," 
was  granted  to  Edward  B.  Wheeler,  W.  M.,  C.  B.  Brown,  S.  W., 
and  Tho.  Harlee,  J.  W.  Though  at  one  time  languishing,  the  Lodge 
revived  about  1845,  and  has  since  been  in  successful  operation. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  61,  George's  Station,  Colleton  District.  A 
warrant  was  granted  September  28,  1827,  to  William  Carr,  W.  M., 
James  Grimes,  Jr.,  S.  W.,  and  John  Strobel,  J.  W.,  to  open  a  Lodge 
in  the  parish  of  St.  George,  Colleton,  to  be  designated  as  "  Fellowship 
Lodge  No.  56."  This  Lodge  was  suspended  in  1830  for  non-payment 
of  dues.     A  warrant  was  granted  1841  for  the  establishment  of  the 


APPENDIX.  535 

present  T  ler  the  d     ignation  of  "Harmony  Lodge  No.  61." 

Tin    Lodg  the  vicinity  of  the  spot  which  was  occupied 

by  the  old  Lodge. 

Charity  Lodge  No.  62,  St.  Mat'hew's  Parish,  Orangeburg  District. 
The  dispem  ition  for  this  Lodge  was  granted  in  1842  to  Henry  W. 
Durant,    W  I    Shuler,    S.    W.,  and  John  V.   Furdon,  J.   W. 

On  June  7,  1842,  the  Grand  Lodge,  instead  of  granting  a  warrant, 
resolved    "that   th  should   be  allowed  to  continue  its  labors 

under  dispensation  for  the  present."  The  warrant  was  not  again  asked 
for,  and  the  Lodge  coniinu  d  in  active  operation  under  the  dispen- 
sation, elected  its  officers,  made  its  returns,  and  sent  its  proxy  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  circumstances  having  unaccountably  been  forgotten 
(see  History,  p.  438),  until  discovered  iu  1857,  on  September  5  of 
which  year,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  Lewis  Dantzler,  11'.  M.,  Audrew 
J.  Ilydrick,  S.  W.,  and  Madison  P.  Way,  J.  W.  Brother  Hydrick 
says,  "there  was  a  Masonic  Lodge  within  five  miles  of  this  mauy  years 
since,  but  the  members  are  all  dead,  and  I  cannot  furnish  any  infor- 
mation concerning  it."  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  was  "St.  John's 
Lodge  No.  37,"  formerly  65,  which  is  recorded  on  the  register  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  in  1817,  as  being  situated  at  St.  Matthew's 
Bluff",  and  in  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.,  as  being  "St. 
John's  Lodge  No.  37,  Santee."     It  became  extinct  in  1830. 

Blackville  Lodge  No.  63,  BlackviUe,  Barnicell  District.  The 
int  was  issued  November  22,  I860,  to  J.  B.  Sawyer,  W.  M.,  J.  J. 

j  S.  W.,  and  C.  W;  Stewart,  ./.  PP.  Number  63  was  formerly 
occupied  by  DeKalb  Lodge  at  Bennettsville,  which  became  extinct  in 
1847.  {See  Marlboro'  Lodge  No.  88.) 

Claremont  Lodge  No.  64,  Sumterville,  Sumter  District.  A  war- 
rant was  granted  for  this  Lodge,  Sept.  5,  1854.  A  Past  Master 
having  been  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master  to  constitute  the  Lodge, 
in  the  following  December  he  proceeded  to  perform  that  duty,  but 
instead  of  installing  the  officers  who  had  beeu  named  in  the  dispen- 
sation and  warrant,  he  permitted  the  Lodge  to  elect  others,  whom  he 
installed.  The  Grand  Master,  on  learning  this  fact,  suspended  the 
Lodge  from  further  li  bor  until  the  matter  could  be  laid  before  the 
Grand  Lodge.     In  1855,  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  the  act 

irregular,  but  as  it  I  le  erroneous  instructions  of  the 


530  APPENDIX. 

pi*oxy  of  the  Grand  Master,  it  legalized  the  transactions  and  ordered  a 
new  warrant  to  be  issued,  with  the  names  of  the  officers  who  had  been 
elected.  Some  of  the  members  of  the  Lodge  being  dissatisfied  with 
this  decision,  made  a  formal  complaint,  when,  on  further  consideration, 
the  Grand  Master  directed  the  warrant  to  be  withheld,  and  issued  a 
new  dispensation.  The  Grand  Lodge  on  March  6,  1855,  approved  of 
this  act,  and  revoking  its  act  of  January,  issued,  March  6,  1855,  a 
warrant  for  "  Claremont  Lodge  No.  61,"  at  Sumter,  directed  to  W.  W. 
Branson,  W.  31,  N.  Lewis,  S.  W.,  and  James  Bell,  J.  W.  The  Lodge 
is  still  in  existence,  and  has  a  li.  A.  Chapter  and  R.  and  S.  Council 
connected  with  it. 

In  1807,  there  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  Salem  in  Sumter 
District,  known  as  "No.  52."  This  Lodge  continued  with  the  revived 
York  Grand  Lodge  until  1817,  when  it  acceded  to  the  union  of  that 
year.  In  the  mean  time  it  changed  its  place  of  meeting  to  Sumterville, 
and  is  so  recorded  in  the  registry  of  1817.  After  the  union,  its  num- 
ber was  changed,  and  in  the  later  registries  it  is  known  as  "Sumter- 
ville Lodge  No.  26."  In  1826  it  was  suspended,  and  the  town 
remained  without  a  Lodge  until  the  present  one  was  organized.  In 
1823  there  was  a  Lodge  at  Manchester,  not  far  from  Sumter,  the  war- 
rant of  which  was  given  in  that  year  to  John  Mayrant,  W.  M.,  Matthew 
S.  Moore,  S.  W.,  and  David  F.  Wyles,  J  W.  Manchester  Lodge, 
like  the  town  itself,  has  become  extinct.     It  was  suspended  in  1830. 

Horry  Lodge  No.  65,  Conwayboro,  Horry  District.  The  warrant 
was  granted  March  5,  1844,  to  James  Potter,  W.  M.,  Hartford  Jones, 
S.  W.,  and  Samuel  Pope,  J.  W.  Brother  Congsdon  writes  as  follows  : 
"The  oldest  citizen  of  the  place,  a  lady,  iuforms  me  that  about  the 
year  1808,  or  1810,  her  father  used  to  meet  with  the  Masons  in  an  old 
jail  in  this  village,  that  Moses  Floyd  was  then  the  Master,  and  that  she 
had  often  seen  what,  from  her  description,  must  have  been  its  warrant." 
Of  this  Lodge  I  can  find  no  record.  There  was  a  Lodge,  in  1807,  at 
Barfield's  Saw  Mills,  on  the  Little  Pee  Dee,  whose  number  was  22. 
There  might,  however,  have  been  a  Lodge  at  Conwayboro  between 
1807  and  1817.  The  registry  of  1817,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  A.  Y.  M., 
gives  the  numbers  of  forty-six  Lodges  which  were  at  that  time  extinct. 
Their  locality  is  not,  however,  stated,  for,  in  the  olden  times,  there 
seems  to  have  been  an  unaccountable  proclivity,  on  the  part  of  the 
writers  of  Masonic  records,  to  give  as  little  information  as  possible. 


APPENDIX.  537 

Walhalla  Lodge  No.  66,  Charleston.  The  warrant  was  granted 
June  4,  1844,  to  J.  A.  Wagcner,  W.  M.,  J.  J.  Boesch,  S.  IE,  and 
C.  Brunner,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  was  instituted  by  several  German 
Masons  for  the  benefit  of  their  countrymen  who  were  not  well 
acquainted  with  the  English  language.  It  accordingly  works  in  the 
German  tongue.  At  first  it  practiced  a  modification  of  the  Berlin  rite. 
In  1847,  in  consequence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  having  restored  certain 
expelled  Masons  to  membership,  the  majority  of  the  Lodge  returned 
the  warrant.  It  was,  however,  almost  immediately  restored  to  the 
minority,  on  their  petition,  and  on  their  consenting  to  work  in  the 
York  Rite.  The  history  of  these  transactions  will  be  found  in  the 
preceding  history,  pp.  331,  333. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  67,  Hamburg,  Edgefield  District.  The 
registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  for  1807,  contains  the 
record  of  "Lodge  No.  54  at  Higgins'  Ferry,"  which  was  on  the  Saluda 
River  in  Edgefield  District.  There  was,  at  the  same  time,  a  Lodge  at 
Campbellton,  about  two  miles  from  the  present  site  of  the  towu  of 
Hamburg,  which  bore  the  number  35.  Both  of  these  were  Ancient 
York  Lodges,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  revival  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.  in  1809.  In  1817  Lodge  No.  35  had  become 
extinct,  but  No.  54  was  still  in  existence  and  acceded  to  the  union 
which  took  place  in  that  year.  The  Lodge  at  Higgins'  Ferry  did  not, 
however,  take  out  a  new  warrant,  and  its  number  was  soon  afterwards 
transferred  to  Hamburg,  for  on  the  22d  April,  1824,  a  warrant  was 
granted  to  "Social  Lodge  No.  54,"  at  Hamburg,  and  the  jewels  of  the 
late  Campbellton  Lodge  No.  35  were  ordered  to  be  given  to  it  Its 
officers  were  Charles  S.  Mayson,  W.  31,  David  L.  Adams,  S.  IE,  and 
Stephen  Minton,  J.  W.  This  Lodge  was  suspended  in  1827,  but  con- 
tinued to  work  a  few  years  longer.  In  1834  the  Grand  Secretary 
reported  that  he  had  had  an  interview  with  two  of  its  officers,  who 
informed  him  that  no  meetings  had  been  held  for  several  years,  and 
that  there  was  no  prospect  of  reviving  the  Lodge.  The  jewels  and 
warrant  were  said  to  be  in  safe  hands,  but  they  were  never  returned  to 
the  Graud  Lodge.  In  1845  a  warrant  was  granted  for  a  new  Lodge  at 
Hamburg,  to  be  called  "  Harmony  Lodge  No.  67,"  and  issued  to  S.  M. 
Bradford,  W.  31,  Benj.  Baird,  S.  W.,  and  W.  II.  Oakman,  J.  W. 
The  Lodge  is  still  in  existence. 

Hiram  Lodge  No.  68,  Anderson  C.  II,  Anderson  District.     The 


538  APPENDIX. 

warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  September  7,  1847,  to  George 
Seaborn,  W.  31,  Joseph  D.  Scott,  S.  IF.,  and  John  B.  Wynne,  J.  W. 
The  Lodge  was  one  of  the  numerous  offshoots  of  Clinton  Lodge  No.  3, 
at  Abbeville,  out  of  whose  prolific  bosom  more  Lodges  have  arisen 
than  out  of  any  other  Lodge  in  the  State.  Hiram  Lodge  has  now 
connected  with  it  a  R.  A.  Chapter  and  a  R.  and  S.  Council. 

Ornan  Lodge  No.  69,  Cedar  lulls,  Greenville  District.  The  war- 
rant was  issued  December  5,  1849,  to  David  Jones,  IP.  31.,  M.  Berry, 
S-  W.,  and  David  Boyd,  J.  W.  This  Lodge  was  originally  established 
at  Fork  Shoals  in  the  same  District,  but  was  a  few  years  ago  removed 
to  its  present  locality.     It  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

SPARTAN  LODGE,  No.  70,  Spartanburg  C.  B.,  Spartanburg  Dis- 
trict. In  1807,  there  was  an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  the  village  of  Spar- 
tanburg, which  bore  the  designation  of  'No.  46."  On  the  revival  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.,  it  united  with  it,  declining  to  recognize 
the  uewly  constituted  Grand  Lodge  of  S.  C.  In  1817  it  was  still  in 
existence.  It  neglected  or  declined  at  first  to  ratify  the  proceedings  of 
the  two  Grand  Lodges,  but  December  17,  1819,  it  acceded  to  the 
union  and  received  a  new  warrant,  taking  the  name  and  number  of 
"Spartanburg  Lodge  No.  24."  In  1825  the  Grand  Secretary  reports 
it  as  "not  heard  from  in  several  years,"  and  in  1826  it  is  marked  on 
the  registry  as  "extinct."  On  September  3,  1844,  the  Grand  Lodge 
received  an  application  for  a  warrant  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Spartanburg 
C.  H.  In  this  application,  the  nominations  were  Isaac  Smith,  W. 
Ralph  Smith,  S.  W.,  and  William  Smith,  J.  W.  The  Grand  Lodge 
ordered  a  warrant  to  be  issued  as  soon  as  the  petitioners  should  pr<  I 
the  proper  testimonials.  This  was  never  done,  and  the  appli 
passed  over  without  further  action.  On  December  4,  1849,  a  new 
warrant  was  granted  to  "Spartan  Lodge  No.  70,"  and  on  January  17, 
1850,  the  Lodge  was  publicly  consecrated  by  the  Grand  Lecturer  in 
the  Methodist  Church,  at  the  village  of  Spartanburg,  with  the  follow- 
ing officers:  W.  B.  Seay,  W.  M.,  James  S.  Nolly,  S.  W.,  and  W.  W. 
Boyd,  J.  W. 

Egeria  Lodge  No.  71,  Jedburg,  Charleston  District.  The  original 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  issued  December  4,  1849.  The  Lodge  was 
at  first  situated  at  Ridgeville  on  the  8.  C.  Railroad,  31  miles  from 
Charleston,  where  it  immediately  erected  a  hall,  which  was  consecrated 


APPENDIX.  539 

by  the  Grand  Lecturer,  July  20,  1850.  In  January,  1852,  the  hall, 
with  nearly  all  of  the  property  of  the  Lodge,  including  the  warrant, 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  Lodge  then  removed  to  Jedburg,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Wassamassaw,  where  a  new  warrant  was  issued  to 
John  Willson,  W.  M.,  J.  C.  McKcwn,  S.  W.,  and  George  Smith, 
J.  W. 

St.  David's  Lodge  No.  72,  Darlington  C.  II.,  Darlington  District. 
In  1822  the  Grand  Master  granted  a  dispensation  to  John  L.  McCul- 
lough,  IF.  M.,  Enoch  J.  Evans,  S.  W.,  and  John  J.  Edwards,  J.  W., 
to  open  a  Lodge  at  Society  Hill,  near  Darlington  C.  H.  Soon  after  the 
Master  and  Senior  Warden  died,  and  the  Grand  Master  granted  a  dis- 
pensation to  the  Junior  Warden  and  members  to  elect  new  officers. 
On  September  27,  1822,  a  warrant  was  ordered  to  be  granted  to  the 
said  Lodge  "on  due  application  being  made."  I  see  nothing  more  in 
the  records  couceming  the  Lodgo  at  Society  Hill,  but  in  the  registry 
of  the  same  year  "St.  Alban's  Lodge  No.  38,  at  Darlington  C.  H,"  is 
recorded.  I  presume,  therefore,  that  the  Lodge  at  Society  Hill,  ou  the 
election  of  its  new  officers,  removed  to  the  better  and  more  populous 
locality  at  Darlington  village.  In  1827,  St.  Alban's  Lodge  was  sus- 
pended, and  was  never  revived.  On  December  4,  1819,  a  warrant  was 
granted  for  a  new  Lodge  to  be  situated  at  Darlington  C.  H.,  to  be  de- 
signated as  "St.  David's  Lodge  No.  72,"  and  on  January  31,  1850, 
the  Lodge  was  publicly  constituted  by  the  Grand  Lecturer  in  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Darlington  village,  with  the  following  officers:  Geo.  J.  W. 
McCall,  W.  M..  Edgar  W.  Charles,  S.  W„  and  James  S.  McCall,  J. 
W.  The  members  of  the  Lodge  subsequently  established  a  Chapter 
and  Council,  both  of  which  are  now  extinct. 

Strict  Observance  Lodge  No.  73.  Charleston.  The  warrant  of 
this  Lodge  was  issued  March  5,  1850,  to  F.  C.  Barber,  W.  M,  S.  J. 
Hull,  8.  W.}  and  Langdon  C.  Duncan,  J.  W.  On  the  27th  of  the 
following  April  the  Lodge  was  solemnly  constituted  and  the  officers 
installed  by  the  Grand  Master  in  person.  An  address  was  delivered 
by  A.  G.  Mackey,  "and  after  the  performances  of  the  ceremonies  the 
day  was  concluded  by  a  festive  entertainment."  The  Lodge  is  now  in 
a  flourishing  and  prosperous  coudition. 

WASHINGTON  LODGE  No.  74,  Indian  Hill,  Abbeville  District.  The 
warrant  was  granted  September  3,  1850,  and  the  Lodge  was  originally 


540  APPENDIX. 

held  at  Millway,  in  Abbeville  District.  This  not  being  found  to  be  a 
convenient  or  advantageous  situation,  the  Lodge  was,  by  permission  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  removed,  in  1857,  to  Indian  Hill,  about  12  miles 
from  Abbeville  C.  H.,  where  it  still  exists. 

Union  Lodge  No.  75,  Unionville,  Union  District,  The  warrant  of 
this  Lodge  was  granted  December  16,  1850,  but,  from  not  having  been 
officially  applied  for,  it  was  not  until  November  1,  1853,  that  it  was 
issued  to  D.  Goudelock,  W.  M.,  John  L.  Young,  S.  W.,  and  W.  T. 
Thompson,  J.  TV.  The  Lodge  had,  however,  been  at  work  since  Janu- 
ary 17,  1851.  Brother  B.  F.  Arthur,  late  Master  of  No.  75,  has 
kindly  supplied  me  with  the  following  information:  "A  Lodge  was 
organized  in  this  town  in  1818.  I  have,  in  the  archives  of  my  Lodge, 
the  Charter  of  this  Lodge,  dated  December  26,  1818,  in  which  Zacha- 
riah  Reid  is  TV.  31.,  Richard  Humphreys,  S.  TV.,  and  A.  W.  Thom- 
son, J.  TV.  This  Lodge  was  abandoned  about  1829.  The  minutes  are 
in  possession  of  Lodge  No.  75,  and  the  last  record  is  made  on  October 
5,  1829.  No  authentic  information  can  be  obtained  as  to  the  cause  of 
its  extinction.  There  is  a  tradition,  however,  that  political  causes  pro- 
duced its  dissolution.  There  is,  also,  a  tradition  that  a  Lodge  was 
once  in  existence  in  this  District  not  far  from  Pinckneyville,  many  years 
ago,  but  no  reliable  information  can  be  obtained  concerning  it."  To 
these  items  I  can  add  only  a  few  additional  facts.  There  was,  in  1817, 
an  Ancient  York  Lodge  at  Unionville,  which  was  then  known  as  "  No. 
75."  I  have  not  discovered  the  exact  date  of  its  institution,  but  it 
must  have  been  after  1807,  as  its  name  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  regis- 
try of  that  year.  In  1817  it  acceded  to  the  union  of  Grand  Lodges 
which  then  took  place,  and,  in  1818,  took  out  a  new  warrant  as  "No. 
48,"  which  is  the  warrant  mentioned  by  Brother  Arthur.  It  paid  its 
annual  dues,  regularly,  up  to  1830,  after  which  year  it  made  no  return, 
although  it  continued  to  be  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge  by  a  proxy 
until  the  end  of  1833.  The  Lodge  was  suspended  in  1834,  but  I  sup- 
pose that  it  really  never  worked  after  1830  or  1831.  In  1807  there 
was  a  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons  situated  on  Hughes  Creek,  Broad 
Biver,  Union  District,  which  was  designated  as  "No.  18."  It  was  in 
existence  in  1817,  and  at  the  union  in  that  year  its  number  was 
changed  from  18  to  12.  la  1823  it  surrendered  its  warrant  and 
jewels.  As  Pinckneyville  is  also  on  Broad  River,  it  is  probable  that 
this  was  the  Lodge  which  is  alluded  to  by  Brother  Arthur  as  being 
"  not  far  from  Pinckneyville." 


APPENDIX.  541 

Landmark  Lodge  No.  76,  Charleston.  The  warrant  was  issued 
December  11,  1850,  to  John  A.  Gyles.  W.  M,  Theo.  S.  Gourdin,  & 
IF.,  and  Wm.  A.  Gourdin,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  was  formed  out  of 
Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1,  five  of  the  Past  Masters  and  five  other  mem- 
bers having  withdrawn  from  that  Lodge  to  constitute  Landmark 
Lodge. 

MACKEY  Lodge  No.  77,  Harlecsvilk,  Marion  District.  The  warrant 
was  granted  March  4,  1851,  to  S.  J.  Bcthea,  II.  J/.,  R.  0.  Ilamev, 
S.  IF.,  and  W.  W.  Sellers,  ./.  II'.  The  Lodge  was  principally  formed 
by  members  of  Clinton  Lodge  No.  60  at  Marion  C.  H. 

Philanthropic  Lodge  No.  78,  Yorkville,  York  District.  From 
some  old  records,  for  which  I  have  been  indebted  to  Brother  Beattie, 
P.  M.  of  Lodge  No.  78,  I  have  collected  many  of  the  following  facts 
relating  to  Masonry  in  Yorkville.  The  first  Lodge  at  that  place  was 
organized  on  the  recommendation  of  Phalanx  Lodge  No.  7,  at  Char- 
lotte, N.  C.  The  warrant  was  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancieut 
York  Masons  of  South  Carolina,  on  May  3,  1794,  to  Samuel  Lowrie, 
W.  M.,  Matthew  Boyers,  S.  W.,  aud  John  Gallagher,  ,/.  IF.,  to  open 
a  Lodge  at  Yorkville,  to  be  designated  as  "  Lodge  No.  32."  The 
Lodge  was  consecrated  and  the  officers  installed  July  10,  1794.  The 
Lodge  was  then,  as  now,  known  as  "  Philanthropic  Lodge."  In  1809 
it  united  with  other  Ancient  Y'ork  Lodges  in  strenuously  opposing  the 
union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  and  in  reviving  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
A.  Y.  M.  It  must  have  become  dormant  subsequent  to  this  period,  as 
I  fiud  "Lodge  No.  32"  marked  as  extinct  on  the  Ancient  York  regis- 
try in  1817.  Between  1818  and  1S20  it  was  revived,  as  in  the  regis- 
try of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.,  for  the  latter  year,  it  is  again 
recorded  as  "  Philanthropic  Lodge  No.  32."  In  1828  it  surrendered 
its  warraut,  James  Beatty  being  its  last  Master.  From  that  time  until 
1851  Masonry  was  extinct  in  Yorkville.  But,  through  the  exertions 
of  Brother  Beatty  and  a  few  other  Masons,  the  order  was  revived  in 
the  village,  and  March  4,  1851,  a  warrant  was  granted  to  Philanthropic 
Lodge  No.  78,  its  first  officers  being  James  Beatty,  II'.  J/.,  Klias  J. 
Meynardie,  S.  W.,  and  Alfred  Craven,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  is  now  in 
a  flourishing  condition,  having  one  of  the  finest  Lodge  rooms  in  the 
State,  and  there  is  in  connection  with  it  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons  and  a  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters, 


542  APPENDIX. 

Keowee  Lodge  No.  79,  Pickens  C.  H.,  Pickens  District.  This 
Lodge  worked  under  a  dispensation  from  August  9,  1851,  to  December 
7,  1852,  with  the  following  officers  :  Jesse  W.  Norris,  W.  31.,  W.  H. 
Trimmier,  JS.  W.,  and  W.  J.  Neville,  J.  W.  A  warrant  was  issued 
December  7,  1852,  to  William  K.  Easley,  W.  M.,  Wm.  H.  Trimmier, 
iS.  W.,  and  Wm.  L.  Gresham,  J.  W.  Many  years  ago  there  was,  in 
this  vicinity,  a  clandestine  Lodge,  and  as  several  of  these  spurious 
bodies  formerly  infested  the  upper  part  of  the  State,  I  have  great 
pleasure  in  publishing  an  extract  of  a  letter  to  me,  from  Brother  Z. 
W.  Greene,  M.D.,  Master  of  Lodge  No.  79,  which  contains  an  account 
of  the  one  which  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Pickensville.  The  facts 
were  derived  from  Brother  Nicholson,  who  had  been  one  of  its  mem- 
bers. 

"  Butler  Lodge  was  established  in  1848  or  9.  Its  founder,  one 
James  Fisher,  who  hailed  from  Spartanburg  District,  was  the  first 
Master  of  this  pseudo-masonic  institution,  and  presided  over  it  for  a 
twelvemonth  or  more.  Fisher  claimed  that  he  belonged  to  a  Lodge  in 
Spartanburg  District,  over  which  one  Hiram  Hall  presided,  and  from 
him  he  said  that  he  derived  his  authority  to  organize  the  aforesaid 
Butler  Lodge. 

"  The  meetings  of  the  Lodge  were  in  a  little  out-house,  surrounded 
by  mountains  which  were  rarely  traversed,  save  by  the  huntsman,  who 
broke  the  stillness  of  the  country  by  his  echoing  horn  and  sharp  peal- 
iug  rifle.  The  land  upon  which  the  house  was  located  belonged  to 
Moses  Butler,  after  whose  name  the  Lodge  was  called,  and  was  situated 
in  Macon,  now  Jackson  County,  North  Carolina,  two  miles  beyond  the 
line  of  Pickens  District,  S.  C 

"  After  the  resignation  of  Fisher,  (who,  by  the  way,  was  a  very 
illiterate  man,)  Stephen  Nicholson,  now  a  worthy  member  of  Keowee 
Lodge  No.  79,  was  inaugurated  as  Master.  This  now  venerable 
Brother  occupied  the  position  a  short  time,  but,  becoming  soon  con- 
vinced, by  revelations  from  the  "  World's  Wonder,"  and  other  sources, 
that  he  was  groping  in  darkness  and  error,  he  endeavored  to  persuade 
his  brethren  that  they  were  the  dupes  of  an  impostor,  and  importuned 
them  to  abolish  the  Lodge  and  connect  themselves  with  the  pure  and 
Ancient  Order.  His  efforts,  however,  were  fruitless,  and,  after  serving 
in  the  capacity  of  Master  for  a  few  months,  he  resigned  his  office  and 
declined  all  further  participation  in  their  meetings.  The  Lodge  then 
began  to  give  way,  its  firmest  pillars  refusing  support,  and  but  a  few 
months  elapsed  when  it  fell  to  rise  no  more." 


APPENDIX.  543 

L  01  >GE  No.   80,  Cokesbury,  Abbeville  District.     The  war- 
was  issued  June  3,  1851,  to  F.  Gr.  Thomas,   ))'.  M., 
m  Newton  Sims,  ./.    IT.      There   never,  previously, 

had  been  a  Lodge  at  this  place,  but  one,  erected  many  years  ago,  at 
ffletown,  about  seven  miles  off,  which  has  already  been  referred  to 
under  the  head  of  Clinton  Lodge  No.  3.  The  Lodge  was  named  in 
honor  of  the  Rev.  Henry  B.  Bascom,  the  celebrated  Methodist  divine. 
The  successful  efforts  of  Bascom  Lodge  to  establish  a  Masonic  College 
under  its  patronage,  will  always  identity  it  with  the  cause  of  education 
in  this  State.  At  a  meeting  on  the  23d  of  August,  1857,  the  Lodge 
resolved  to  establish  a  Female  .Masonic  College,  and  all  its  disposable 
funds  were  pledged  to  the  carrying  out  of  this  object,  besides  a  private 
subscription  by  the  members,  amounting  to  about  $3,000.  The  corner 
stone  of  a  new  building  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies  on  June 
26,  1S54,  and  the  ediGce,  which  is  three  stories  high,  being  completed, 
the  exercises  of  the  college  commenced  in  it  in  the  year  1856.  Bro. 
Strauss,  the  long  continued  Secretary  of  the  Lodge,  informs  me  that 
since  the  college  has  been  in  operation  six  orphans,  or  children  of 
Master  Masous,  have  annually  received  a  gratuitous  education  on  the 
foundation.  The  college  is  still  burthened  with  a  debt,  as  it  has 
received  comparatively  little  assistance  from  the  Fraternity  out  of 
Cokesbury.  It,  however,  merits  a  warmer  patronage,  for,  as  the  same 
brother  justly  says,  besides  its  intrinsic  excellence  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  "  the  establishment  of  the  college  has  done  very  much  to 
elevate  the  character  of  Masonry  in  the  upper  country."  There  is  a 
Chapter  and  Council  connected  with  Bascom  Lodge. 

Calhoun  Lodge  No.  81,  Glenn's  (Springs,  Spartanburg  District. 
The  warrant  was  granted  September  2,  1851,  to  Robert  A.  Catcs,  W. 
J/.,  Geo.  A.  Smith,  S.  W.,  and  Eliaa  Bearden,  J.  II'.  The  Lodge  is 
situated  about  twelve  miles  from  Spartanburg  C.  II..  and  any  history 
of  Masonry  conuected  with  this  locality  must  be  referred  to  Spartan 
Lodge  No.  70. 

Caldwell  Lodge  No.  82,  Liberty  Hi//,  Edgefield  District.  The 
first  Lodge  that  ever  met  at  Liberty  Bill  was  the  old  Edgefield  Lodtre 
No.  46,  which  first  met  at  Abney's  Store,  then  at  Cambridge  and 
Kirkscy's  Cross  Roads,  and  finally  moved,  as  I  am  informed  by  Brother 
Talbert,  to  Liberty  Hill,  where,  about  1829,  it  became  extinct. 
June  oO,  1837,  the  Grand  Lodge  granted  a  warrant  for  the  establish- 


5-y-  APPENDIX. 

meut  of  a  new  Lodge  at  this  place,  which  was  known  as  "  Solomon's 
Lodge  No.  3."  This  Lodge  hecame  extinct  in  1841.  "  In  the  year 
1852,"  says  Brother  Talbert,  "  some  members  of  Concordia  Lodge,  at 
Edgefield  C.  H.,  residing  at  or  near  Liberty  Hill,  finding  the  distance 
too  great  for  them  to  attend  as  regularly  as  they  wished,  petitioned  for 
a  renewal  of  the  old  warrant  of  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  3,  which  was 
refused.  A  petition  was  then  made  for  a  new  warrant,  which  was 
granted."  The  warrant  of  Caldwell  Lodge  No.  82  was  issued  June 
3,  1852,  to  John  F.  Burress,  IF.  31.,  Wm.  B.  Dorn,  S.  IF,  and  B. 
II.  Howard,  J.  IF.  The  Lodge  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and 
has  just  completed  a  large  and  commodious  hall.  The  name  was 
selected  in  honor  of  the  late  Chancellor  Caldwell,  formerly  a  Deputy 
Grand  Master  of  the  State  and  a  skilful  and  zealous  Mason. 

Little  Pee  Dee  Lodge  No.  83,  Allen's  Bridge,  Marion  District. 
The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  September  2,  1851,  to  Evan 
Lewis,  IF.  31.,  B.  Shooter,  S.  IF.,  and  Geo.  E.  Shooter,  J.  IF.  The 
Lodge  is,  I  believe,  in  a  prosperous  condition,  but  I  have  obtained  no 
information  in  relation  to  its  Masonic  history. 

True  Brotherhood  Lodge  No.  84,  Columbia.  The  warrant  of 
this  Lodge  was  issued  Dec.  27,  1852,  to  Steuart  A.  Godman,  IF.  31., 
Charlton  H.  Wells,  S.  IF.,  and  John  A.  Moore,  J.  IF.  This  Lodge 
was  organized  principally  by  members  of  Richland  Lodge  No.  39. 
See  the  account  of  that  Lodge  for  any  notices  of  Masonry  in  Columbia. 

Flint  Hill  Lodge  No.  85,  Gladden'*  Grove,  Fairfield  District. 
The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  June  4,  1852,  to  A.  F.  Lump- 
kin, IF  31.,  P.  H.  Pickett,  S.  IF,  and  John  McCully,  J.  IF  The 
Lodge  first  met  at  a  place  called  Pea  Ridge,  aud  was  then  known  as 
"Pea  Ridge  Lodge  No.  85."  In  1854  it  removed  to  Flint  Hill  and 
received  permission  to  change  its  name.  In  1861  it  was  removed  to 
Gladden' s  Grove,  where  it  is  now  situated. 

Roslin  Lodge  No.  86,  Lowndesville,  Abbeville  District.  The  war- 
rant of  this  Lodge  was  granted  dune  4,  1852,  to  John  Brownlee,  IF. 

31.,  John  C.  Spear,  S.    IF,  and ,  J.    IF.     This  is  one  of 

the  numerous  offspring  of  Clinton  Lodge  No.  3,  at  Abbeville  C.  H. 
The  Lodge,  I  presume,  derives  its  name  from  the  St.  Clairs,  of  Roslin, 
who  were  for  many  generations  the  hereditary  Grand  Masters  of  Scot- 
land. 


APPENDIX.  54£ 

Amity  Lodge  No.  87,  Newberry  C.  II,  Netiiberrg  District.  In 
1807  Lodge  No.  53  met  at  Hogg's  Store,  near  the  Enoree  River,  in 
Newberry  District,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A. 
Y.  M.  I  find  a  communication,  in  1800,  from  Lewis  Hog<r,  as  Master 
of  this  Lodge,  to  the  committee  of  Lodge  No.  31,  in  Charleston,  in 
which,  in  behalf  of  the  Lodge,  he  declares  its  opposition  to  the  union 
of  Grand  Lodges  which  had  taken  place  the  year  before,  and  its  wish 
to  assist  in  the  revival  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  Y.  M.'  Accordingly 
it  was  represented  at  the  Convention  held  in  May,  1800,  at  Columbia, 
which  reorganized  the  Ancient  York  Grand  Lodge.  In  1817  Lodge 
No.  53  concurred  in  the  permanent  union  that  was  then  effected,  and 
took  from  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M.  a  new  warrant,  with 
2/  for  its  number.  Its  last  return  was  made  in  1821,  and  in  1826  it 
was  declared  to  be  suspended.  I  think  it  probable  that  it  had  become 
extinct  soon  after  1821. 

In  1807  there  was  a  York  Lodge  at  Newberry  C.   II.,  numbered  as 
43,  which  became  extinct  between  that  year  and  1817.     On  March 
16,  1821,  the  Grand  Lodge  granted  a  warrant  for  its  revival  with  a 
new  number,  11.     The  officers  of  this  Lodge  were  Young  J.  Harring- 
ton,  W.    M.,  James  Fernandes,  S.    W.,  and  William   Wilson,  ./.  W. 
In   1823,  on   the  application   of  the  Lodge,  its  number  was  changed 
from  11  to  44,  the  former  being  given  to  a  Lodge  at  Winnsboro.   °Of 
this  Lodge  two  Chancellors  of  the  State  were  Fast  Masters,  Job  John- 
ston and  James  J.  Caldwell.     The  Lodge  made  no  returns  after  1826 
and  was  suspended  in  1830.     Masonry  was  then  dormant  at  Newberry 
for  about  twenty-three  years,  when,  through  the  zeal  and  energy  of 
Brother  E.  S.  Bailey,  who  had  recently  removed  there,  a  new  Lodge 
was  established,  and  March   1,  1853,  a  warrant  was  granted  to  E   S 
Bailey,  W.  M.,  W.  B.  McKellar,  S.  W.,  and  J.  M.  Phillips,  J   W 
to  open   "Amity  Lodge  No.  87."     The  Lodge  is  now  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition,  with  a  fine  hall,  and  has  a  Chapter  of  11.  A.   Masons 
and  a  Council  of  R.  and  S.  Masters  connected  with  it. 

Marlboro  Lodge  No.  88,  BennettsviUc,  Marlboro  District.  The 
first  Lodge  established  at  Bennettsville  was  «  De  Kalb  Lodge  No.  63," 
the  warrant  for  which  was  granted  March  7,  1843.  This  Lodge  docs 
not  appear  to  have  been  successful,  and  in  1847  it  forfeited  its  war- 
rant. It  had,  however,  I  learn,  ceased  to  work  in  1845,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  death  of  its  officers.  On  March  1,  1853,  a  warrant  was 
granted  to  David  S.   Harlec,   IF.    Jf.,  James   E.   David,  S.    W   and 


546'  APPENDIX. 

Moses  E.  Cox,  J.  W.,  for  a  new  Lodge  at  Bennettsvilie,  which  Was 
named  "  Marlboro  Lodge  No.  88."  This  Lodge  is  still  in  existence, 
and  in  a  very  prosperous  condition.  Two  Lodges,  Nos.  33  and  43, 
have  sprung  from  it,  the  one  ten  and  the  other  seven  miles  from  Ben- 
nettsvilie. 

Bascomville  Lodge  No.  89,  Bascomville,  Chester  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  May  1,  1853,  to  James  Heath, 
W.  31. ,  Chappel  Kussel,  S.  W.,  and  R.  F.  Fudge,  J.  W.  I  have 
obtained  no  information  of  the  forme?  existence  of  any  Lodge  at  this 
place.  The  early  Masonic  history  of  the  place  must  be  connected  with 
that  of  Chester,  from  which  it  is  only  18  miles  distant. 

Caldwell  Lodge  No.  90,  Calhoun's  Mills,  Abheville  District. 
The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted   March   1,  1853,  to  T.   A. 

Rogers,  W.  M., ,   S.   W.,   and — ,  J.   W. 

The  Lodge  is  one  of  the  offshoots  of  Clinton  Lodge  No.  3.  It  derives 
its  name,  like  that  of  No.  82,  from  the  late  Chancellor  Caldwell,  Past 
Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Greenwood  Lodge  No.  91,  Grcemoood,  Abheville  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  December  6,  1853,  to  James  Gil- 
lam,  W.  3L,  J.  R.  Tarrant,  &  W.,  and  B.  F.  Corley,  ./.  W.  This 
Ledge  was  organized  principally  by  members  of  Bascoin  Lodge  No. 
80,  from  which  it  is  only  about  nine  miles  distant. 

Blue  Ridge  Lodge  No.  92,  Walhalla,  Pickens  District,  was 
granted  November  17,  1859,  to  C.  H.  Spears,  W.  31.,  J.  W.  F.  Thomp- 
son, S.  W.,  and  J.  W.  Garrett,  J.  W.  In  July,  1860,  the  Lodge  was 
duly  constituted  by  Brother  George  Seaborn,  P.  M.  of  Lodge  No.  34, 
as  the  special  proxy  of  the  Grand  Master. 

St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  93,  St.  Jago  tie  Cuba,  Island  of  Cuba. 
The  warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  17,  1859,  to  Pedro 
Ferrer  Landa,  W.  31.,  Juan  Bernardo  Bravo,  S.  W.,  and  Geronimo 
Puente,  J.  TV.  The  Lodge  was  constituted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  for  the  purpose  of  establishing,  with  two  other  Lodges 
already  existing  on  the  island,  a  Grand  Orient  of  Cuba.  This  object 
having  been  accomplished,  St.  Andrew's  Lodge  has  been  withdrawn 
from  this  jurisdiction. 


APPENDIX.  547 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  has,  on  two  other  occasions, 
granted  warrants  fur  opening  Lodges  in  Cuba.  On  March  27,  1818,  a 
warrant  was  granted  to  La  Constancia  Lodge  No.  50,  aud  March  31, 
181!),  to  La  Amenidad  Lodge  No.  52,  both  in  the  city  of  Havana. 
Both  Lodges,  in  a  few  years,  surrendered  their  warrants  in  consequence 
of  the  religious  and  political  persecutions  to  which  they  were  subjected 
by  the  Roman  Church  and  the  Spanish  Colonial  Government. 

.  Acacia  Lodge  No.  94,  Columbia,  Richland  District.  The  warrant 
of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  17,  1859,  to  0.  M.  Roberts,  W. 
JL,  J.  II.  Doatwright,  S.  11.,  and  P.  S.  Jacobs,  ./.  W.  For  the  his- 
tory of  Masonry  in  Columbia,  see  Richland  Lodge  No.  39. 

Etiwan  Lodge  No.  96,  Mount  Pleasant,  Qhar lesion  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  17,  1859,  to  S.  H.  D. 
Corbett,  W.  M.,  Tho.  D.  Jervey,  S.  W.,  and  II.  Cranston,  J.  W. 
The  Lodge  is  situated  in  the  village  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Charleston 
Harbor,  and  was  organized  by  members  of  several  of  the  city  Lodges, 
who  found  it  inconvenient  to  attend,  across  the  bay,  at  the  Communi- 
cations of  their  respective  Lodge--. 

Franklin  Lodge  No.  96,  Charleston.  The  warrant  of  this  Lodge 
was  granted  November  20,  1860,  to  David  Ramsay,  W.  .)/.,  Samuel 
J.  Lord,  S.  W.,  and  J.  Legare  .Jones,  J.  W.  The  name  was  selected 
in  compliment  to  the  many  printers  who  united  in  the  organization  of 
the  Lodge. 

Coleman  Lodge  No.  97,  I  caster  dlle,  Fairfield  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  20,  1860,  to  J.  C.  C 
Feaster,  W.  M.,  R.  W.  Coleman,  S.  W.,  aud  J.  F.  Coleman,  J.  W. 
Notices  of  the  early  history  of  Masonry  in  Fairfield  District  will  be 
found  under  the  head  of   Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11. 

American  Lodge  No.  98,  Gillisonville,  Beaufort  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  20,  1860,  to  T.  Y. 
Buckner,  W.  M.,  D.  T.  Williams,  S.  W.,  and  J.  B.  Porcher,  J.  W. 
I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  existence  of  any  previous  Lodge  in  this 
village,  but  we  have  the  record  that  three  were  formerly  established  in 
the  vicinity.  In  the  year  1807  Lodge  No.  26  met  at  Jacksonboro,  and 
Lodirc  No.  39  at   Coosawhatchie.     Roth  of  these  were  Ancient  York 


,-,-J-S  ArPEXDIX. 

Lodges.  The  Lodge  at  Jacksonboro  refused  to  concur  in  the  union  of 
Grand  Lodges  in  1808,  and,  on  the  revival  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A. 
Y.  M.,  continued  on  its  registry  until  1817,  when  it  consented  to  the 
union  of  that  year.  In  December,  1818,  it  was  represented  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  by  its  proxy,  but  I  find  no  further  mention  of  it,  and  as 
its  name  does  not  appear  on  the  registry  of  1820,  which  was  the  first 
published  after  the  union,  I  presume  that  between  1818  and  1820  it 
had  become  extinct. 

I  have  not  learned  when  Lodge  No.  39  was  first  organized,  but 
Negrin,  in  his  list  of  York  Lodges,  published  in  1807,  says  that  the 
number  of  members  was  then  between  forty  and  fifty,  so  that  it  must 
then  have  been  for  some  time  in  operation.  He  gives  the  names  of 
the  following  officers:  Tho.  Deveaux,  W.  31,  Geo.  Taylor,  JS.  W., 
John  J.  Wright,  J.  W.,  Chas.  J.  Jenkins,  Treas.,  John  Riley,  Sec, 
Benj.  H.  Mark,  Tiler.  The  designation  of  the  Lodge  was  "  Fellow- 
ship Lodge  No.  39,"  as  I  find  from  its  correspondence  in  1809  with  St 
John's  Lodge  at  Charleston.  It  refused  to  submit  to  the  union  of 
1808,  and  continued  on  the  registry  of  the  revived  Grand  Lodge  of  A. 
Y.  M.  In  the  registry  of  that  Grand  Lodge,  in  1817,  Lodge  No.  39 
is  marked  "extinct."  The  exact  date  of  its  extinction  I  have  been 
unable  to  learn,  but,  of  course,  it  was  between  1809  and  1817.  I  make 
no  account  of  its  being  named  in  Hardie's  list  of  1818,  nor  in  Webb's 
of  1821,  because  it  is  notorious  that  these  lists  of  Lodges  collated  out- 
side of  a  jurisdiction  are  of  no  authority. 

The  third  Lodge  in  the  vicinity  of  American  Lodge  No.  98  was 
situated  at  or  near  Pocotaligo.  I  find  no  mention  of  any  Lodge  at 
Pocotaligo  before  March,  1818,  when  it  was  stated  that  "  Mount  Hope 
Lodge  No.  80"  (which  is  subsequently  called  "  the  Lodge  at  Pocotali- 
go,") had  applied  to  the  late  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons 
for  permission  to  revive  that  Lodge,  which  was  granted.  This  applica- 
tion must  have  been  made  in  1817,  because  the  highest  number  on  the 
registry  of  that  Grand  Lodge,  in  that  year,  was  79.  In  consequence 
of  the  union  that  immediately  afterwards  took  place,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  repeat  the  application  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  A.  F.  M., 
which  body  granted  a  warrant  for  the  revival  of  "Mount  Hope  Lodge 
No.  48,"  directed  to  Gresham  Smyth,  W.  M.  Now,  what  Lodge  was 
it  that  was  thus  revived  ?  There  is  no  record  of  any  Lodge  having 
ever  before  been  held  at  Pocotaligo.  But  Brother  Buckner,  the  Mas- 
ter of  American  Lodge,  informs  me  that  the  old  Coosawhatchie  Lodge  was 
situated  en  Tulifinny  Hill,  about  two  miles  from  Coosawhatchie,  and 


APPENDIX.  549 

that  he  had  never  heard  of  a  Lodge  being  immediately  in  Coosaw- 
hatchie.  Now,  Mount  Hope  Lodge  No.  48  is  uniformly  recorded, 
from  the  time  of  its  receiving  a  new  warrant  in  1818,  as  being  situated 
at  "Pocotaligo,  Tulifinny  Hill."  I  think,  therefore,  that  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  Mount  Hope  Lodge  No.  48,  at  Pocotaligo,  was  a 
revival  of  Fellowship  Lodge  No.  39,  at  Coosawhatchie.  Lodge  No.  48 
became  extinct  about  the  year  1830. 

Star  Lodce  No.  99,  Graniteville,  Edgefield  District.  The  war- 
rant   of    this   Lodge   was   granted    November   20,   1860,   to    P.    A. 

Boddie,   IF.    .1/., ,  S.   W.,  and ,  ./.    11'. 

The  Lodge  received  its  dispensation  in  1859,  but,  at  the  Communica- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  that  year,  a  warrant  was  refused  on  the 
ground  that  the  Lodge  had,  while  under  dispensation,  conferred  the 
degrees  on  a  candidate  who  was  physically  disqualified.  On  proper 
representations  being  made,  the  dispensation  was  continued  for  another 
year,  and  the  warrant  granted  at  the  next  Communication  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

Monticello  Lodge  No.  100,  Monticello,  Fair  field  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  20,  1860,  to  H.  II. 
Chappell,  IF.  M.,  Thompson  Chappell,  S.  W.,  and  S.  R.  Martin, ./.  W. 
If  there  be  any  early  history  of  Masonry  in  this  vicinity  it  must  be 
connected  with  Winnsboro  Lodge  No.  11,  from  which  the  Lodge  is  not 
very  distant. 

EBENEZEB  Lodge  No.  101,  Marietta,  Greenville  District.  The 
warrant  of  this  Lodge  was  granted  November  20,  1860,  to  M.  P. 
Dickey,  W.  M.,  G.  W.  McCarrellj  S.  11'.,  and  J  W.  Boling,  ./.  W. 
This  Lodge  is  only  12  miles  from  Greenville  C.  II.,  and  is  an  offshoot 
from  Kecovery  Lodge  in  that  village. 

Freemason's  Hall  Company.  This  association  was  so  intimately 
connected,  in  its  organization  and  objects,  with  the  cause  of  Free- 
masonry in  this  State,  that  a  brief  sketch  of  it  may  be  considered  as 
germane  to  the  present  work.  Several  Ancient  York  Masons,  having 
long  felt  the  necessity  of  a  place  of  meeting  for  the  various  Masonic 
bodies  in  the  city,  determined  to  establish  an  association  or  joint  stock 
company  in  Charleston,  whose  object  should  be  to  build  a  Freemason's 
Hall.     Accordingly,  on  June   17,  1818,  the  four  following  brethren, 


55fl  ArrF.xmx. 

Wm.  Loughton  Smith,  Frederick  Dalcho,  T.  W.  Bacot,  and  L.  T. 
Raynal,  met  at  the  house  of  T.  W.  Bacot,  to  take  the  preliminary 
measures  for  the  organization  of  such  an  association.  They  determined 
to  form  a  joint  stock  company,  and  resolved  that  for  that  purpose  a  sub- 
scription should  be  opened  for  1000  shares  at  $25  each.  An  address 
was  prepared  by  Dr.  Dalcho,  and  the  plan  app2ars  to  have  met  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Craft  in  general,  as  well  as  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons,  as  the  latter  body  appointed  a  "Grand  Commit- 
tee "  to  mature  the  plan  and  obtain  subscriptions.  The  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons  were  permitted  to  subscribe  after  the  books  had  been 
first  presented  to  the  York  Masons,  but  the  union,  which  soon  took 
place,  obliterated  all  distinction  on  that  subject  in  the  city.  Seven 
hundred  and  eight  shares  having  been  subscribed,  a  general  meeting  of 
the  stockholders  was  convened  in  the  Grand  Lodge  Room,  at  Mead's 
Hotel,  on  November  21,  1808,  when  it  was  resolved  that  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  of  the  company  should  be  entrusted  to  eleven  di- 
rectors, and  that  the  design  of  the  association  should  be  "  the  erection 
of  a  Freemason's  Hall  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
South  Carolina  and  the  Subordinate  Lodges  in  this  city  under  its  juris- 
diction." The  directors  were  also  authorized,  if  the  state  of  the  funds 
would  permit,  "  to  include  in  the  building  contemplated,  a  suite  of 
rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the  St.  Cecelia  and  other  societies." 
On  November  28,  1808,  a  Board  of  Directors  was  elected,  and  Win. 
Loughton  Smith  was  chosen  President.  In  1811  the  company  pur- 
chased, from  M.  A.  Waring,  for  $7,500,  a  lot  in  Broad  street  opposite  to 
the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Hall  of  the  St.  Andrew's  Society.  In 
December,  1812,  the  association  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature, 
and  authority  was  granted  to  it  to  raise  ten  thousand  dollars  by  a  lot- 
tery. In  1816  au  effort  was  made  to  unite  with  the  Charleston  Library 
Society  in  the  erection  of  a  Hall,  and  committees  of  conference  were 
appointed  by  both  bodies,  but  they  failed  to  come  to  any  satisfactory 
agreement.  In  1817  the  company  took  the  preliminary  steps  for 
drawing  a  lottery,  but  they  were  not  carried  into  effect.  Subsequently, 
offers  were  made  by  lottery  venders,  in  New  York  and  Baltimore,  to 
take  the  right  and  pay  a  reasonable  sum  for  it,  but  none  of  these  ar- 
rangements were  successful.  In  1818  the  Board  sold  their  lot  in  Broad 
street  for  $10,000,  and,  on  their  petition,  the  City  Council  consented  to 
provide  a  lot  at  the  North  side  of  the  City  Square,  where,  I  suppose, 
the  fire  proof  buildings  now  stand,  and  jointly  with  the  company  to 
erect  a  Hall,  the  company  consenting  to  contribute  $20;000.     But  this 


Am:xr>i\.  ,,,-,{ 

scheme,  also,  subsequently  failed.  In  1819  the  company  purchased  a 
lot,  with  buildings  on  it,  in  Meeting  street,  on  part  of  which  the 
Charleston  Club  House  now  stands,  from  the  rent  of  which  for  some 
years  they  derived  a  profitable  revenue.  In  1827  the  Graud  Lodge 
having  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  permission  to  draw  a  lottery,  the 
company  took  offence  at  this  interference  with  the  object  of  their  asso- 
ciation, and  from  that  time  the  Freemason's  Hall  Company  began  to 
show  symptoms  of  dissolution.  The  shares  were  returned,  as  far  as 
called  for,  and,  many  years  afterwards,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dollars, 
being  the  result  of  unclaimed  dividends,  was  paid  into  the  treasury  of 
the  Grand  Lodge.  Thus,  for  nineteen  years,  this  association  existed, 
having  but  one  object  in  view,  the  erection  of  a  Masonic  Hall.  Its 
efforts,  we  know,  were  wholly  unsuccessful,  and  perhaps  its  managers 
were  wanting  in  boldness  and  capacity,  to  seize  the  advantages  which 
presented  themselves.  But  we  cannot  withhold  our  grateful  admiration 
of  the  zeal  of  the  men  who  labored  so  long,  without  any  personal  remu- 
neration, in  the  cause  of  their  Order,  and  whom,  for  all  that  period,  no 
failure  seemed  to  discourage  and  no  obstacles  to  appal.  They  yielded 
only  when  they  thought  that  further  effort  would  be  useless,  and  when 
they  believed  that  they  had  found,  iu  the  Grand  Lodge  which  they 
were  serving,  a  competitor  in  the  same  design. 


INDEX 


■A-'  V.KQE 

Abbeville  Lodge  No.  3 56,  225 

Aoaoia  Lodge  No.  94 462,  547 

Adams,  John,  eulogy  ou 209 

Advancement  of  Candidates 330 

Advertisement,  first  Masonic 2!) 

Aliiman  Rezon,  Daloho's  137,  156, 163 

"  '•      Dennett's SO 

"  ••      Mackey's 377 

Alexander,  Herr. 329 

Alexander,  J.  J.,  Grand  Master 246 

"      address  by 257 

Allen  Lodge  No.  38 525 

American  Lodgo  No.  98 469,  547 

Amity  Lodge  No.  87 396,  545 

Ancient  and  Accepted  Rite 494 

Ancient  Masons,  first  notice  of 53 

"         G.  L.  of  organized. ..130 

Anderson's  Constitutions 70 

Annual  Communication,  first 444 

Appeal  by  third  parties 424 

Appendix 505 

Apron,  Grand  Master's 212 

Arrears :i22 

Asylum,  Orphans' 188,  199 

Atliol  Masons 53 

Aurora  Lodge  No.  33 523 

15. 

Bacot,  T.  W 108 

G.  Master...l30,  136.  143,148 

"  addressof 132 

death  of 243 

Ball,  Masonic 298,  326 

Ballotings 372.  393 

Baltimore  Convention 306 

Banquets,  Grand  Lodge 1 10 

Barker.  John  171 

unville  Lodge  No.  89 397,  546 

Beaufort,  Lodge  al 22 

BeckhamBville  Lodge  No.  16 173,  515 

Blackville  Lodge  No.  63 469,  535 

Blue  Ridge  Lodge  No.  92 162,  546 

Boston,  Grand  Lodge  at II 

Buford  Lodge  No.  27 

Buist,  Henry,  G.  Master 439,  452,  161 

address  by i<>7 

Butlei  59..... 534 

By-Laws  for  ]  :-'  I 

C. 

Caldwi 11,  J.  J  .  death  i  f 

11  Lodge  No.  82 

Xo.  90 

36 


Calhoun  Lodge  No.  81 543 

Calhoun  Monument 448 

Campbell,  B.  R.,  Graud  Master 168 

Carew,  J.  E.,  address 818 

Carnarvon,  his  deputation 28 

Case,  Albert,  address 285 

Casting  vote 336 

Catawba  Lodge  No.  56 462.  533 

Cemetery,  Masonic  374 

Centennial  Anniversary 402,  416 

Centre  Lodge  No.  37 439,  525 

Cerncau,  Joseph 174 

Certificates,  Grand  Lodge 217 

Charity  Fund 154,  159 

Charity  Lodge  No.  62 300,  439,  535 

Charles,  E.  W.,  Grand  Master 382 

Charleston,  first  Lodge  in 1 

Cheraw  Lodge  No.  15 303,  514 

Chester  Lodge  No.  18 404,  516 

Church  mil  Lodge  No.  19 156 

Claiborne  Lodge  No.  53 1  13,  531 

Claremont  Lodge  No.  64 406,  1-- 

Clergymen ->M> 

exempted  from  fees 1  39 

Cleveland.  \V.  L.,  Grand  Master 396 

Clinton  Lodge  No.  60 239,  31 

Cogdell,  J.  >^..  G.  Master 150,  156,  168 

**  address  of 179 

Cogdell,  R.  V.r..  Grand  Master 230 

Cokesbury  Masonic  College 157 

Coleman  Lodge  No.  97 467.  547 

Collier's  Lodge 405 

Columbia,  Convention  at 436 

G,  L.  to  on  ■    al 1  !  I 

Columbia,  meetings  of  G.  L  there.. .146, 
[50,  15  I,  167,  189,  203,  217.  232, 

Columbia  Lodge  No.  39 155,  217 

Commission  appointed  by  (•'.  1 187 

Concordia  Lodge  No.  50 315,  530 

Congresses,  Masonic 446 

ation  of  G.  L 145,  399,  142, 

161,  465 

Convention  of  Ancient  Y.  Masons 66 

Convention  of  A.  Y.   M.  to  revive   G. 

L.  A.  V.  M 101 

Corner-stones  lajd 92,  220,  256,  W3 

Counsel  employed  by  G.  L.  to  defend  a 

committee 

Jeremy  L 214 

C  Masonry  in  .-.  C ISO 

1>. 

Dalcho,  Frederick 177,  If 

memoir  of 251 


INDEX. 


Deas,  John,  Prov.  G.  M 53 

DoKalb  Lodge  No.  64 303 

DeKalb,  monument  to 197 

Dermott,  Laurence 60 

DeSaussure,  H.  A.,  Grand  Master... 235, 

237,  239,  242 

Dispensations  prohibited 427 

"  by  Deputy  G.  M 386 

Disputes  with  Ancient  York  Masons 95 

District  Deputy  Grand  Masters 317 

Dissensions  in  Grand  Lodge 174 

Documents  on  Sublime  Masonry 176 

Donation,  Masonic ..17,  380 

Dorchester,  Lodge  at 32 

Dormant  Lodges,  funds  of 240 

Due  Bills  prohibited 255 

Duelling 350 

E. 

Ebenczer  Lodgo  No.  100 469,  549 

Eckhard,  G.  B.,  Grand  Master 310 

Edwards,  E.  II.,  G.  Master.. .278,  296,  301 

Effingham  Lodge  No.  45 529 

Egeria  Lodge  No.  71 371,  538 

Elliott,  Barnard,  Grand  Master 50 

Encyclical  Letter  of  Grand  Lodge 351 

Etiwan  Lodgo  No.  95 462,  547 

Eureka  Lodge  No.  43 523 

"      No.  47 530 

Eyland,  James,  Grand  Master  232 


Fees  of  initiation 148,  185,  304 

Fellowship  Lodge  No.  50 217 

Eire  in  Charleston 17,  263 

Eire  Loan 277 

Flint  Hill  Lodge  No.  85  544 

Eranklin  Lodge  No,  2 507 

«  "        No.  96 469,547 

Fraternity  Lodge  No.  35 524 

Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  G.  L.  of.. 50,  93 

Freemasons'  Hall  Company 262,  549 

Friendship  Lodsre  No.  9 145,  511 

"       No.  25 519 

Funeral  Procession,  first  in  S.  C 26 

Funnan,  C.  M.,  Grand  Master 261. 

265.  272*,  333,  337 

Galloway,  James 187 

Geddes,  John,  Graud  Master 189 

"     '      "       address 190 

"       funeral 322 

General  Graud  Lodge... 166,  169,  323,  348 

Geometry,  essay  on 23 

town,  corner-stone  of  hall  at...2!5 

,l 1  Intention  Lodge  No.  17 155 

Gourdiu,  T.  S.,  report  of  committee. ...439 

Graeme,  James,  Prov.  G.  Master 10 

Grand  Chapter  of  :-:.  C 473 

Grand  Coun  I  84 

d  Lodge  A.  Y.  M.,  organ iz<  d 56 


PA  SB 

Grand  Lodge  A.  Y.  M.,  incorporated 71 

"  "       united    with    G.    L.    of 

S.  C 88,93 

"  "       Convention  to  revive 101 

"  '        "       incorporated  again 117 

Grand  Lodge  F.  and  A.  M#.,  true  date 

of  organization 51 

"  "       incorporated 71 

"  "      united  with  A.  Y.  M...88,  93 

Grand  Lodge  A.  F.  M.  organized 130 

"      seal 138 

"  "      incorporated 139 

Grand  Lodgo  S.  C.  organized 93 

"  "       united  with  revived  A. 

Y.  M 130 

Greenville,  G.  L.  meets  at 463 

Greenwood  Lodge  No.  91 546 

H. 

Hall,  Masonic.203,  204,  215,  218,  223, 

229,  271,  274 
"  "         at  end  of  market. ..245,  248 

"  "        present  one 275,456 

"  "         corner-stone 277 

"  "         dedicated 281 

Hammcrtun,  J.,  Prov.  Grand  Master 5 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  17 295,  322,  515 

"     '        "       No.  20 517 

"  "       No.  22 45L 

"       No.  61 517 

"       No.  67 537 

Hams,  T.  M 24(1 

Hiram  Lodge  No.  68 537 

History  of  Masonry 455,  468 

Home,  Masonic 456 

Horry  Lodge  No.  65 31 

Humility  Lodge  No.  12 51:! 

Hunt,  B.  F.,  Graud  Master,. .2 12,  218,  256 

Illiterates,  initiation  of 350 

Inglesby,  W.  H.,  addresses 243,  291 

Independent  Lodge  No.  23 518 

Inspectors 144,  106,  20S 

Instruction.  Lodge  of....237,  238.  296,  299 

Introduction  of  Masonry  into  S.  C 1 

living,  John  D.,  Grand  Master 318 

'■  ■•         addresses  of., ....233,  :'.12 

jr. 

Jackson  Lodge  No.  £3 532 

Javain,  Peter 174 

Jefferson,  eulogy  on 209 

Jewelry,  Masonic,  earlv  use  of 25 

Johnson  Lodge  No.  32". 523 

Johnson,  David,  Grand  Master 2U4 

KI. 

Keowee  Lodge  No.  79 379 

lo.  2!) 521 

Kingstrec  Lodge  No.  46  


INDEX 


King  Solomon's  Lodge  No.  15 1  55 

Knight  Templarism  in  8.  C 487 


La  Candour  Lodge.  No.  36 38  I 

Lancaster,  Lodge  at 181 

Lance,  AVm.,  address 226 

Lafayette... 196,  19S 

Lajdmark  Lodge  No.  76 375.  541 

LaureDsville,  Lodge  at 17."> 

Law  of  qualifications  of  candidates. .156, 

188 

"    of  suspend  d  Masons 2:>2 

••    of  election  of  officers....l58,  169,  183 

"    of  restoration 173,  195 

"    of  warrants 185 

••    of  fundsof  extinct  Lodges 185 

••    ut'  promulgating  Lodge  business.. 1S9 

'•    of  expulsions 196 

■    of  G.  L.  jurisdiction 204 

"    of  examinations 217 

••    of  eertdfii  ates 217 

■•    of  petitions 231 

••    *i.  L.  will  not  explain  any 158 

Lebanon  Lodge  No.  18 530 

Lecturer,  Grand 164,  167,  171.  173, 

182,  iss.  310,  316,  320,  151 

Lecturers,  itinerant 402,  467 

Lectures,  unauthorized,  prohibited li'>"> 

Leigh,  Peter,  Prov.  Q.  Master 27 

Leigh,  Sir  Egerton,  Prov.  G.  Master, ...42 
"  of  his  character. ...49 

Library  oi  Grand  Lodge 229 

•■     *   of  Lodges 424 

Little  P<     Dee  Lodge  No.  &3 544 

Little  River,  181 

ild  to  Theatre  Company 244 

225 

Louisiana,  G.  L.  of 354 

Lom  eton 310 

M. 

i  y,  A.  <;..  addresses  by..302,  371,  394 
dcscripti\  e  disoourse...  106 

Mackey  Lodge  No.  52 462,  531 

•'      No.  77 377,541 

.  Lodge  at 1 73 

Marine  Lodge    39 

Marlboro'  L  396,  5  15 

at  Society 

i  i  annot  bo  tried 316 

39 

McCosh,  Joseph 176 

McDonald,  A!  s 2) 

Mendicant  

Mexico,  G.  L.  of 107,  209 

.Milk-r,  A.  K,  i..  Master 362,  371,  374 



351 

hn 17/> 

2 


Mt.  Morion  Lodge  No.  5S 469 

Mt.  Vernon  I  1'J 

Ml.  Willing  Lodge  No.  57 462,  533 

KT. 

New  York,  G.  L.  of 335 

"         "         "       schism  in 365 

Nobbs,  Samuel 95 

Norris,  J.  C,  Grand  Master 324 

O. 

Oral  instruction  only  to  be  used 426 

Orange  Lodge  No.  14 51  1 

Orangeburg  Lodge  No.  28 520 

Orator  for  St.  John's  day 182 

Oman  Lodge  No.  69 ." 371.  538 


Palmetto  Lodge  No.  19. ..159, 160,  362,  516 

Panama,  Lodge  at 379 

Past  Masters 69,  369,  457.  465 

Payne,  Seth,  address 84 

i'ii  Lodge  No  34 52." 

Philanthropic  Lodge  No.  78 379,  541 

Phillips,  St.  John,  address 237 

Poinsett,  Joel  R 209 

Port  Royal  Lodge 22 

Price,  Alfred,  Grand  Master.. .4U  1.  U5, 

i  :'  Jerusalem 496 

Provincial  Grand  Lodge 11,  27 

Provincial  Grand  Master 4 

Proxies 70,  375.  401,  41  i, 

Prudence  Lodge   No.   35,  {incorrectly 

printt  if  Providence) 184,  185 

Pythagorean  Lodge  No.  21 517 

Q. 

Qualifications  of  Candidates 156 

Quarterly  Communication,  the  last 443 

Quitman,  J.  A 

11. 

Hall 268 

Reconsideration  of  petitions 398 

362,  522 

Pet, .nn.'. 42  .   i- 

Relief  Lodge 466 

nts,  initiation  of $6  i 

mtative  System 

32,  3  19,  .">ti-i 

■  522 

rasure  from 443 



Royal  480 

I7n 


id 59 

61 


550 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Seyle's  Hall 159 

Shepkeard's  Tavern  first  Lodge  room 7 

Shields,  James 337 

Smith,  Benj.,  Prov.  G.  Master 37 

Social  Lodge  No.  54 229 

Solomon's  Lodge  No.  1 3,  507 

"  "       No.  3 255 

Sorrow  Lodge ' 224 

Spartan  Lodge  No.  70 371,  538 

Star  Lodge  No.  99 469,  549 

State  first  used  for  Province 50 

St.  Andrew's  Lodge  No.  10 204,  512 

"  "      No.  93 546 

St.  David's  Lodge  No.  72 371,  539 

St.  George's  Lodge 32 

St.  John's  day  first  celebrated 11 

St.  John's  Lodge  No.  13 255,  514 

"  "       No.  31 95 

"  "       No.  41 439,528 

St.  Mark's  Lodge.... 38 

St.  Peter's  Lodge  No.  54 462,  533 

Strict  Observance  Lodge  No.  73 539 

Suits  at  law  among  Masons 428 

Supreme  Council 323 

Sword,  Grand  Pursuivant's 31 

T. 

Thayer,  E.,  address 403 

Theatre,  Masons  attend  it 7 

Transient  Candidates 380 

"         members 216 

True  Brotherhood  Lodge  No.  84 544 

Tucker,  C.  S.,  Lecturer 164 

Tyrian  Lodge  No.  42 528 

IT. 

Union  Kilwinning  Lodgo  No.  4 35. 

46,  48,  49 

Union  of  S.  C.  Masons  in  180S S8,  93 

"         its  effects  104,  108 

"  "         articles  of 89 

"  "         dissolved  in  1809 95 

"  "'         opinions  G.  Li.  U.  S  ..110 


Union  of  S.  C.  Masons  in  1817 119 

"  "  "         articles  of 123 

"  "  "         consummated.. .130 

Union  Lodge  No.  34 156,  511 

"  "       No.  75 375,540 

Unity  Lodge  No.  55 202,  533 


Vinton,  David,  Grand  Lecturer 164 

Visitation,  right  of 304 

Voting  by  show  of  hands 394,  400 

Voting,  right  of 304 

W. 

Walhalla  Lodge  No.  66 315,  331,  334 

Wallace  Lodge  No.  49 530 

Wambaw  Lodge  No.  47 216 

War,  no  celebration  on  account  of 36 

Washington  and  Masons  of  S.  C 80 

"  address  to  him 81 

"  his  reply 81 

"            funeral  obsequies  in  S.  C...82 
"            monument  to. ...202,  208,  372 
"            initiation,  celebration    of 
Centennial       Anniver- 
sary  381,  385,  394 

Washington  Lodge  No.  5 204,  511 

"  "       No.  7 204,  511 

"       No.  74 374,539 

Williamston  Lodge  No.  24 424,  518 

Wilson,  John  L.,  Grand  Master 182 

Wiunsboro'  Lodge  No.  11 181,  315,  513 

Winyaw  Lodge  No.  40 527 

1  Work  adopted 310,  465 


York  Masons,  first  notice  of 53 

"  "         their  G.  L.  organized 56 

"  "         extinction 93 

"  "         revival 101 

'•'  "        final  extinction 130 


